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Gen. E. H. Rhodes, 
Vice President. 



CoRP'L G. W. Powers, 
Secretary. 




Col. C. D. Wright, 
I'resident. 





C. C. COIFIN, 
Treasurer 



Hon. B. F. Whittemi.kk 
Chaplain 



OFFICERS OF THE SHERIDAN'S VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 



YPE PRINTING CO- BOSTON. 



SHERIDAN'S VETERANS 



A SOUVENIR 



OF THEIR TWO CAMPAIGNS IN THE 
SHENANDOAH VALLEY. 



THE ONE, OF WAR, IN 1864, 
THE OTHER, OF PEACE, IN 1883. 



BEING THE RECORD OF THE EXCURSION TO 

THE BATTLE-FIELDS OF THE VALLEY 

OF VIRGINIA, 

September 15-24, 1883. 



BY ONE OF THE VETERANS. 



BOSTON, MASS. 
December, 1883. 



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3 ST N 
W, r. BROWN iOOMP^N-', PRINTER 



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CbcrtfibcU iflematp of tbe |)croic OcaU, 

from the ranks of the 
Sixth, Eighth, and Nineteenth Army Corps, 

WHO 

FELL ON THE FIELDS WE HAVE TRAVERSED 

IN WAR AND PEACE, 



FORMATION, 



Officers of the Association \Froiitisfiece\. 

PAGE 

Dedication, 3 

Preface, 7 

Preliminary, 9 

A Novel Excursion, 12 

Camping in the Valley, 15 

Harpers Ferry \Illustration\, facing 16 

Welcome at Winchester, 22 

Camp Emory, 28 

Excursion Staff \niustratioii\, facing 32 

Comrade Powers' Poem, 34 

Col. Wright's Oration, 38 

Scenes in Harpers Ferry [Illustratioji], facing 48 

A Remarkable Service 51 

Capt. Hodgdon's Tribute, 63 

Lieut. Hadley's Tribute, 54 

Capt. Hall's Tribute, 57 

The North and the South {inusti-ation\, .... facing 58 

Sergt. Buffum's Tribute, 58 

Chaplain Whittemore's Poem, 61 

At the Virginia Monument, 63 

Camp-Fire of the Fourteenth Regiment, 65 

From Bolivar Heights \Illustration\, facing 72 

On the Battle-Field, 79 



vi FORMATION. 

Camp-Fire of the Thirty-Eighth Rk(;iment Md 

A Night in Camt, 8') 

Cedar Creek and Fishers Hill, yCi 

Gen. Birge and others [I/lusfrat/on] facing 8S 

Gen. Thomas' Courtesy, .ss 

Last Night in Camp, . . . 80 

The Final Camp-Fire !)() 

Parting at Winchester, 95 

A Beautiful Token, 102 

On the Potomac, \Illustratio7i\, facing 104 

Harrisonburg's Ovation, 10(5 

Mr. Harnsberger's Welcome, 107 

A Southern Dinner HI 

The Good-Bye at Winchester, 112 

Parting Service on the "Pilgrim," 113 

The Permanent Organization, 115 

A Tribute to the Manager, 116 

Shots from the Rear Guard, 117 

The Closing Word, 120 

The Executive Committee \inustration\ .... facing 120 

Excursion Roster, 121 

Advertisement \Second ccmerX. 



PREFATORY NOTE 



The excursion which we conniienioi'iite is its own sufficient 
monument. From its origin to its consummation it is an enter- 
prise of which all who have been connected with it may well 
be proud. It marks an era in the restoration of those frater- 
nal relations which were cruelly disrupted by the War of the 
Rebellion. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for the veter- 
ans who followed Sheridan to victory, to revisit the scenes of 
their triumphs, to contrast the dreadful past with the happy 
present, and experience the sincere and royal welcome which 
generous Southern hearts could extend to former foes. The 
veterans of the Shenandoah originated a new thing under 
the sun, and the character, the success, the welcome, and the 
unalloyed satisfaction of this unique excursion are generally 
conceded to be unsurpassed in the experience of those who 
were so fortunate as to participate in tlie exercises and enjoy- 
ments of the trip. In obedience to an universal desire this 
souvenir volume is issued. While the story of the trip has 
been extended beyond the original modest design, there has 
been considerable matter omitted. The manuscripts of some 
of the speeches which had been requested by the author were 
furnislied too late for insertion. For the unexpected delay in 
the issue of this souvenir the author is in no wise responsible. 
It has been caused by the failure of some of the portraits to 
arrive seasonably. In obedience to urgent requests the author 
arranged to insert such photographs as should be secured. 
Aside from the officers of the excursion and Association and 
members of the executive committee the contributions of the 
portraits have been voluntar}'. It was tlie desire of many 
members of the party that the portrait pages should be quite 
comprehensive. As it is, the groups presented are a decided 
gain to the volume. F. H. B. 

Boston, December 12, 1883. 



SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 



PRELIMINARY. 

It was in November, 1882, that a member of tlie Fourteenth 
New Hampshire Volunteers' Veteran Association conceived 
the plan for an excursion of Sheridan's Veterans to the scenes 
of their marches, battles and triumphs. He carefully matured 
the project in all its details before mentioning it to any one. 
The president of the association was then waited upon. 

" Col. Wright, what do you say to the Fourteenth Regiment 
holding a re-union in the Valley on the twentieth anniversary 
of our campaign ? " 

" A capital idea. What is your plan ? " 

The whole scheme was then unfolded to Col. Wright, almost 
precisely as it was afterward carried out. 

" Do you just get out a patent on that thing without losing 
any time. Don't let any other organization get ahead of us. 
Write an article and print it in the Herald.''^ 

In accordance with this suggestion an outline of the pro- 
posed trip was at once published in the Boston Herald., and 
that paper continued to spread the details of the scheme be- 
fore the public at length, in a series of articles beginning with 
the first action of the committee last spring. When the first 
announcement had been made the matter was allowed to drop 
so far as the public was concerned, but the work of prepara- 
tion went right on, and it may be here intimated that the mass 
of the large party which so enjoyed the week in the Valley 
must have been unaware of the amount of preliminary work 
which was done in order to assure the success which was real- 
ized. 



10 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

" Why wait until 188-4: before going to the Valley?" inquired 
Col. Wright. And so it was decided to make the trip in tlie 
fall of 1883. Early in the spring the comrades whose names 
duly appear in the roster were invited to act as an " Excursion 
Committee" of the regiment. A circular was issued, signed 
by this committee, and thus the enterprise took formal shape. 
The circular invited all veterans who served in the Valle}^ 
and all civilians who desired to do so to join the Fourteenth 
Regiment in the excursion, but it did not invite other organi- 
zations to participate in the direction of the exercises of the 
trip. The Excursion Committee, directly upon its organiza- 
tion, entered into a written contract with the Excursion man- 
ager, the latter agreeing to take the party on the round trip in 
accordance with the detailed plan submitted, for the sum 
named, per capita. At this stage of the preparations an 
amusing feature was introduced. About fifty veterans had 
each his own personal scion to graft upon the original idea. 
One wanted to " take in Gettysburg." Another was exceed- 
ingly anxious to go over Antietam ; one suggested Eastern 
Tennessee as a desirable part of the programme ; another 
inquired if the battle-fields of the Army of the Potomac were 
to be visited, wliile the most utterly comprehensive tourist of 
them all wanted to enjoy all that was proposed and then 
return home via Lyncliburg, Petersburg, Richmond, the 
James River, Norfolk and Fortress Monroe. All this for 136. 
There were some who seemed determined to have something a 
little different from the manager's plan, and a somewhat for- 
midable pile of correspondence accumulated in the endeavor 
to smooth all the crotcliets and satisfy those who wished to 
vary the plan, and who " did n't see why " their pet ideas 
could not be embodied in the programme. To the praise 
of the Excursion Committee it is to be recorded that it 
declined, finally, to alter in any particular the original plan, 
except to lengthen the space within which the tickets should 
be good. The original scheme contemplated a re-union of the 
Fourteenth Regiment on the battle-field of the Opequan. 
The regiment did not, as has been stated, take an}^ action in 
the premises. The tacit consent of the regiment to this mod- 



A NOTABLE DELEGATION. . 11 

ification of their vote for the aiiiiiial re-uuion was presumed, 
being endorsed by the officers of the association. 

The idea of such an excursion was entirely novel, and at 
once commanded a widespread approval. Eager responses 
were received from a class of veterans which assured a party 
of the best character, . It was then thought best to broaden 
the scope of the enterprise. The plan for the excursion 
proper was fixed and the contract completed. But the pro- 
gramme for the exercises while camping in the Valley was 
quite undetermined and flexible. A consultation with the 
chairman of the Excursion Committee resulted in an invita- 
tion to representatives of the different regimental organiza- 
tions which served in the Valley to meet for the purpose of 
forwarding the common plan. A meeting was held June 14; 
an Executive Committee was appointed at that meeting, the 
final constitution of which appears in its proper place in the 
roster. The Executive Committee held meetings June 28, 
July 12, and August 9, and at these meetings the programme 
of exercises ultimately carried out was agreed upon. The 
interest and enthusiasm manifested by the members of the 
Executive Committee went far to assure the success of the 
excursion. All the members of this committee, as they appear 
in the roster, were untiring in their efforts to forward the 
enterprise. One member of the committee, Gen. Thomas, 
was unable to be present at the preliminary meetings, but it 
cannot be invidious to affirm that hardly a member of the 
committee was so active and successful in organizing a delega- 
tion and swelling the roster of the party. The Vermont con- 
tribution to the excursion was a notable one, and must be 
placed to the credit of Gen. Thomas's zeal for the trip. The 
final circular, as agreed upon by the committee, was sent out, 
and subsequently the excursion manager was flooded with a 
deluge of correspondence, in some cases parties who did not 
go, in the end, requiring half a dozen answers to their inquiries. 
The preparatory work for the new campaign to the Shenan- 
doah Valley went smoothly on. The excursion staff, as it 
^appears in the roster, was appointed in July. 



12 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 



A NOVEL EXCURSION. 

OjST Saturday, September 15, the excursion started, the New 
Hampshire delegation proceeding by the way of Fitchburg to 
Fall River, where it was joined by the delegations from Maine, 
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. The Vermont and Con- 
necticut delegations joined the party at New York. Gen. 
Henry W. Birge, Commander of the First Brigade, Second 
Division, Nineteenth Army Corps, who was the guest of the 
Fourteenth New Hampshire, also joined tlie party at New 
York. The excursion manager and Quartermaster Howard, 
having preceded the party by nearly a week in order to com- 
plete the preparations for its reception, the party, until its 
arrival at Harpers Ferry, was in charge of Paymaster C. W. 
Hodgdon, whose ability and assiduity, from beginning to end, 
cannot be too highly commended. From New York to Wash- 
ington a special train of elegant cars was placed at the service 
of the veterans and their guests. The ride was a much pleas- 
anter one, in every respect, than the slow and tedious railroad 
processions which took the boys in blue over their first war 
route to the capital, when danger and not pleasure was the an- 
ticipation of the excursion. Quartered at the National Hotel, 
each delegation, regimental group, or individual, made its way 
speedily to the familiar spots in its war experience. The old 
Central Guard House was sought for, but could not be found. 
The old Capitol Prison, also, was no more, an elegant block 
standing in its place, and a garden parterre adorning that part 
of the grounds where Mrs. Surratt was hung, fn Gale's Woods 
the very tent lines and ground lloors of the Fourteenth Regi- 
ment in " Camp Adirondack " were plainly discerned, after a 
lapse of twenty years since the occupancy of the camp. The 
old barracks at the south end of Lono[' Bridoje were found 
almost the same as when vacated by the Fourteenth in Janu- 
ary, 186-1. Arlington Heights rose as majestically in the west- 
ern distance across the Potomac as when they formed a con- 



RAILROAD COURTESY. 13 

spicuoiis landmark in the defenses of the Potomac. In some 
locahties it was the okl Washington of the South and of 
slavery. In others, and in all conspicuous localities, it was 
the new and magnificent Washington of the new and magnifi- 
cent nation. And here on the very threshold of the excursion 
programme the wonderful suggestions and the great contrasts 
between the war era and the present time began. The veteran 
had entered the borders of dreamland. He was within the 
domain of unrealities. His later life, the long era of peace, 
was fading from before his eye; the war was looming up 
again; the great conflict and its marvellous experiences were 
to stand forth the sole and grand realities for a week, at least. 

By a vote of the Executive Committee, Maj.-Gen. W. H. 
Emory, the venerable and venerated commander of the Nine- 
teenth Army Corps, had been made the guest of the excursion. 
Directly upon its arrival in Washington, a committee of the 
excursion, accompanied by Gen. Birge, waited upon Gen. 
Emory, and Chaplain B. F. Whittemore presented him with a 
beautiful excursion badge. This presentation and its marked 
effect upon the brave old commander of the Nineteenth Corps 
formed a peculiarly pleasant episode of the trip. Late Mon- 
day afternoon the special train moved out of Washington on 
its way to Harpers Ferry. From Baltimore the train had 
been in charge of a veteran comrade, Mr. C. E. Dudrow, an 
official of the B. & O. Railroad, and who accompanied the 
party through the entire trip. Mr. Dudrow endeared himself 
to the whole excursion, and he now wears an appropriately 
inscribed gold souvenir, a veteran's badge, as a testimonial of 
the esteem in which he is held by this .party. 

No words of praise will be an exaggeration of the courtesy 
of the B. & O. Railroad officials. The excursion manager 
was assured by Mr. Lord, the general passenger agent, that 
the special train should be run as he desired, and the promise 
was more than kept. Never was an excursion more hand- 
somely treated ; never could a greater spirit of accommodation 
be manifested. Aside from this continuous endeavor of the 
railroad officials to render the trip of the party as agreeable 
as possible, it is to be remarked that this route, traversed by 



14 SHERIDAWS VETERANS. 

the Baltimore and Ohio Raih'oad, is one of the magnificent 
excursion lines of the country. For natural picturesqueness 
and a wonderful variety and amount of historical association 
of intensest interest, the line of this road, from Baltimore 
through Washington, up the Potomac on the main line, along 
the Monocacy on the old line, and through the rich and 
romantic regions traversed b}^ the Shenandoah branch — for 
all and singular, that is valuable and exhilarating to the tour- 
ist, the revelations and enchantments of the " Picturesque B. 
& O." are unsurpassed, if not unequalled in America, Such 
was the unanimous verdict of all whom the writer heard com- 
ment upon the region, the prospect, and the road. It is so 
common in the experiences of travelling, to find a railroad 
corporation . getting all it can and giving as little as possible, 
that this refreshing and notable exception merits a special 
recognition. Some of the picturesque bits of landscape on 
the line of this road and which have grown familiar to the 
Valle}^ veterans, are reproduced and made a permanent portion 
of this souvenir. 



DISGRUNTLED VETERANS. 15 



CAMPING IN THE VALLEY. 

Haepees Ferry ! What an array of humiliations, disasters 
and contradictions must ever be associated with the name and 
the spot ! And why should the ex]3erience of Sheridan's 
Veterans on their advent here be an exception to the con.sjjic- 
uous rule ? It was not. When the party turned out of the 
cars in front of John Brown's fort and the dilapidated Govern- 
ment property, it was in good humor. Everything had started 
off well. In one half-hour from that landing a great, hungiy, 
houseless, bedrizzled crowd was in a humor that w^as not good. 
Some of the resident veterans had heartily welcomed the 
arrival of the visitors. . Salvos of artillery, a brilliant display 
of rockets and band-music had voiced the hospitality of the 
comrades in Harpers Ferry. But the first evening in camp 
was not auspicious. In the first place the company had to 
climb that hill which rises as an exasperating bulwark be- 
tween the lower village of Plarpers Ferry and Bolivar; and 
what regiment ever marched up that hill with an ever-vanish- 
ing summit that wasn't mad from Colonel to eighth cor})oral? 
This excursion imagined it was marching five miles to find a 
nebulous camp, and when it hustled itself, in the shrouding of 
a small, tormenting rain-storm, into that camp, it was in a 
mood which palace accommodations and an epicurean cuisine 
would no more than have satisfied. It didn't find either. It 
had a suspicion for a few minutes that a part, at least, of its 
uneasy and almost enraged self was to stand out in the wet 
indefinitely, and also that if there was any head to the concern 
it was not on very efficient shoulders. For a short time the 
entire party was in a very unpleasant situation, and the first 
assignment of tents was not swift nor satisfactory. It was the 
ripe opportunity for the croakers, and they began to clear 
their throats. There were some — a small some — in the 
party who went all the way down there and paid their share 
in order to see the scheme fail, or only half succeed. The first 



16 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

evening at Harpers Ferry was almost their Yinclication. The 
truth is there was no brilliant show of organization or execu- 
tive ability in the disposing of the party when it arrived in 
" Camp Birge," on Bolivar, Monday evening, September 17. 
On the face of affairs there was good reason for complaint. 
It is true the ladies of the party were all well provided with 
rooms in adjacent houses. Nearly two hundred men, most of 
whom had forgotten that they ever nestled down at night, 
supine in Virginia mud, were standing around waiting to be 
told which tent they might occujiy, and waiting a good while 
for the coveted information. It was a good-natured crowd ; 
the grumbling was confined to the chronic cases, and they 
made no trouble. Supper was not ready; it was dark; it was 
wet; it was not what was paid for. Fortunately the acute 
cases found hacks, wagons, etc., and rode back in disgust to 
the village. The next morning they said they felt better. 
Before the end of the week they had entirely recovered. It 
was not a happy beginning of camp-life for a veteran excur- 
sion party. Yet consider. Was there not a singular appro- 
priateness in this beginning? This campaign of peace was 
similar in its first development in the Valley to all of the 
more sanguinary ones which made it possible. Each of Sheri- 
dan's great battles had an apparently bad beginning, and why 
should not Sheridan's Veterans begin their magnificent pleas- 
ure-tour of the Valley with a dubious episode? But a few 
words of explanation and vindication are just here in order. 
Wh}- was it that the preparations at Harpers Ferry were not 
comj^lete and perfect when the excursion-train arrived ? Why 
was it that the party was not at once provided with quarters 
and supper ? The question is of no consequence in itself, 
now, to any one. But there are one or two considerations 
which are of permanent importance. In the first place, on the 
first of September, when the tickets for the excursion were all 
supposed to have been sold, there were only ninetj'-six — less 
than one-half of the ultimate number — disposed of. It will be 
seen that any adequate preparation for the actual excursion 
was a matter of pure guesswork. If it Avas overdone a heavy 
loss must result; if insufficient, a general dissatisfaction and a 




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SOME INFELICITIES. 17 

spoiled trip would prove to be the harvest from the invest- 
ment. The 14 extra to be charged for all tickets taken after 
September 1 was never insisted upon in a single instance. 
Five hours before the train arrived in Plarpers Ferry, the 
manager was ignorant ,of the actual number in the party, 
there being fifty people more than he had had any reason to 
anticipate. Concerning the camp : the promised assistance 
for the pitching of the tents was never furnished, — a most 
inexcusable failure, — so that two hours previous to the arri- 
val of the excursion the camp was in an entirely inchoate 
state. Had the train arrived on time the whole status would 
have been comically deplorable. It was found impossible to 
hire any help that ranked above the worthless grade, and 
altogether, it was up-hill work, getting that camp ready for 
its expectant occupants. To increase the felicities of the sit- 
uation, the Commissary missed the train and was not on the 
ground to do a thing before the party arrived. This impor- 
tant, and as it afterward proved, most competent and faithful 
official, alone had the key to the eating side of the situation, 
and his non-arrival was a serious set-back to all culinar}^ 
arrangements. To bring out the beauties of the situation 
into crowning prominence, a furious wind-storm arose one 
hour before the train arrived, which was only the skirmish-line 
of a big thunder-shoWer that promised to serve that camp 
much as Stonewall Jackson treated Miles on that very ground. 
" Taking one consideration with another," the manager's " lot 
was not a happy one," for it appeared among the probabilities, 
even while the welcoming artillery was swelling up the Poto- 
mac and Shenandoah, reverberating over Maryland and Lou- 
don Heights, rolling awa}^ back to Bolivar, and while rockets 
were shooting heavenward — it seemed for a while that every 
tent in Camp Birge would lie prostrate before the gale. 

But twenty gallons of hot coftee took the Avrinkles out of 
the great excursion stomach; one by one the tents were 
assigned ; there was room enough for all ; even the essential 
grumblers discerning at length that it was n't absolutely 
necessary for them to stand on their heads all night in a Vir- 
ginia mud-hole ; the leading ofiicers present, headed b}' Col. 



18 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Wright, volunteering for the traditional and needed " camp- 
guard," the main body of the company turned in ; the few 
lively ones promenaded the camp, getting into the old-time 
moods, and sniffing in the almost-forgotten campaign inspira- 
tion ; the cloud-drizzle toned down into a mist ;' the spirit of 
jollity began to rise among the chosen ones of the excursion ; 
the terrible crisis was past. 

Grasping that situation by the handle of retrospect — and 
that is the only cheerful grip we got of it — it may be observed 
that it was an episode not to be eliminated from the expe- 
riences of the trip, without a real loss. If everything had 
gone on the high tide of surprising success, as it did contin- 
uously afterward, reminders of actual campaign camping 
would have been far less pungent. The rounded-out realities 
of war living would not have been reproduced so vividly. 
Again, the abounding good nature, the exceptional quality 
of the party as a whole, could never have otherwise been 
proven. 

Camp Birge was admirably and historically located. There 
Stonewall Jackson had camped his army ; there the Union 
defenders of the strategic post occupied^, quite permanent 
quarters, the grades and ditches of the Sibley tents being still 
well-defined. The outlook was beautiful in all directions, and 
the morning view which burst upon the excursionists after 
their first night under canvas was inspiriting. This camp was 
located for the party by Lieut. G. W. Graham, a laAvj-er of 
Harpers Ferry, and an officer of the G. A. R. Post. From the 
arrival of the excursion in the Valley up to the winding out 
of town of the train, Saturday night, homeward bound, Lieut. 
Graham never relaxed his efforts to make the expedition a 
success. He gave up the entire week to it, and with Captain 
C. H. Briggs, the commander of the Post, accompanied the 
party throughout its journeyings. The talent and laborious 
interest which Lieut, Graham contributed to the enterprise 
cannot be forgotten. Tuesday forenoon was spent by the 
party in scattered groups, visiting the innumerable points of 
interest, John Brown's fort being the pre-eminent centre of 
curiosity. Li the camp, which existed but for a night, the 



THOSE ROYAL WOMEN. 19 

diversions, oddities, freaks, eccentricities and general ahandon 
which constitute the irresistible charm of " tlie tented military 
town " were already enlivening the company. The fat, but 
universally popular Major, standing guard in the last hours of 
night was badly frightened by a sow and her dozen pigs which 
invaded the camp; but, securing aid, rallied and routed 
the intruders. The insinuation that the Fourteenth's field 
officer plumped one of Bolivar's nondescript swine into the 
midst of a sleeping tent group is doubted — by his friends. 

He affirms that Gen. D did it, who also tossed in a bag 

of wooden nutmegs as provender for the pig. This episode 
is recorded here by the special request of the parties traduced, 
who desire a public vindication. Major Ira Berry, Jr., was 
the Officer of the Day, in charge of Camp Birge, but his 
duties were not onerous. It was soon observed that nearly 
every member of the party was a most excellent law unto 
himself, and the high decorum of the entire excursion, from 
first to last, was most highly commended by those who were 
ready to expect demonstrations less "high-toned" and more 
boisterously demonstrative. 

It is proper just here to comment upon the influence of the 
lady contingent, and a most important division or brigade 
they were in this new invasion of the Valley. How odd, with 
old impressions stealing back — a soldier, campaigning again 
— to poke one's head out of the tent at dawn, and find one's 
self in point blank range of a double battery of bright eyes, 
under pretty feminine hats. Ah ! the women of that excur- 
sion I When next we go to the Valley may every one of 
them respond to the roll-call. Their pluck, vivacity, good 
nature ! How they shamed the fastidious veterans who 
prophesied that " the women of the party can't stand it to 
camp out." The}^ did stand it, and never again can you scare 
those women into the fear that a week under canvas will kill 
them, or even shatter their constitutions. In every enterprise 
of the week, in every project and episode, wherever a helping 
hand could be lent, there were the women of Sheridan's Vet- 
erans ; and at every point their life and overflowing good 
humor were conspicuous. 



20 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Another memory of actual war Avas emphasized in the 
breaking of camp. There was zest in it. Lieut. J. W. Rus- 
sell, one of the best known and always popular officers of the 
" Old Fourteenth," A^olunteered to assist in strikmg tents, and 
he went at it with the ability of a A^eteran. The manager Avas 
much indebted to his skill and helpfulness. 

The Union Cornet Band of Winchester arrived early in the 
forenoon, to greet the excursion, and their appearance Avas 
Avarmly welcomed. An excellent organization, they served 
the party throughout the week, demanding no recompense for 
their enthusiastic attachment to the visitors. They Avere not 
left unrequited. There was one feature of the Harpers Ferry 
diA^ersions Avhich must not pass unnoticed. It was the ball. 
The folloAving is from the pen of Lieut. E. W. Thompson, 
Avho has AA^-itten a grapliic description of the trip : 

" Climbing m\) a flight of outside stairs Ave found ourseh^es in 
a low, narroAv hall, Avhere some tAventy couples Avere dancing 
vigorously, if not scientifically. The ceiling AA^as lathed but 
entirely innocent of plaster, and Comrade Sponseller, Avho 
Avelcomed us, gave the information that the proceeds of the 
ball Avere to be devoted to covering the nakedness of the ceil- 
ing. We gave him a donation to the Avorthy cause, and then 
looked around us. There were no swell toilets to describe, 
and no belle of the ball to go crazy about ; but there AA^ere 
the " fiddlers three," genuine black, dj^ed in the avooI, war- 
ranted not to fade, but not Avarranted to Avash. The second 
violin and the bass sawed aAvay industriously, and without 
any " style," but the leader, who called the changes, put on 
the fancy flourishes. The arm Avas brought up Avith a grand 
flourish, the eyes shoAved Avhite as the fleece of Mary's lamb, 
the left foot rose up like a trap-door, and Avith " fust four for- 
red and back," a new figure AA^as commenced. The prompter's 
voice was no '' sure thing ; " it A\'ent up to about a certain 
pitch as a good bass, and then broke into a shrill soprano. 
The effect was startling and thoroughly funny." 

The camp on BoliA^ar had disappeared. The day aa\is aus- 
picious. John BroAvn's fort had been well chipped at CA^ery 
corner, and the relic freiu'ht Avas accumulating;. It Avas a little 



THRILLING MEMORLES. 21 

before one o'clock of Tuesday that the elegant excursion train 
rolled out of Harpers Ferry, following up the dashing Shen- 
andoah until it cut across lots to hit ever-memorable little 
Halltown, which had been previously reconnoitred by several 
parties of the veterans. Passing Charlestown the tragic 
memories of John Brown's death were revived, and at 
Stephenson's Station the strategy of both Sheridan and Early 
were brought to mind. And now what thrilhng emotions 
begin to fill the heart of the Union veteran. The train is 
skirting that terrible, that triumphant field, where so many 
died ; where all Avere victors. But not yet. Another, and a 
startling scene, must intervene before the full meaning of 
nineteen years ago may be revived. 



22 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 



WELCOME AT WINCHESTER. 

The train draws into Winchester. We had been there be- 
fore, in and out, in the day and in the night, pursuing and 
chased, running as for dear life, Unionists and Rebels play- 
ing shuttlecock through the unhappy town. We had been 
there before, many of us lying wounded in the warehouses 
and hospitals ; some of us as provost guards ; some of us as 
prisoners ; in all shapes, in all plights, Sheridan's Veterans 
liad been in Winchester. Xo I we have never been in Win- 
chester. You royal good fellows ; you hospitable gentlemen ; 
you noble ladies ; we never saw you before ; we never heard 
of you ! We are wrapt in a great m3^$tification. We are am- 
bushed ; we are all " gobbled up ; " are all prisoners. How silly 
to imagine that we conquered somebody about here some years 
ago. The tumult, the crowd, the cheers, the splendid welcome ! 
Winchester, we supposed we had remembered j^ou. You can 
hardly deepen our present impressions. And this is how it 
came about. August 21, the City Government of Winchester 
met and adopted the following resolutions : 

Whereas^ Certain citizens of New England, associated to- 
gether in organization commemorative of their participation 
in our civil war, have given public expression of their inten- 
tion to revisit, in peaceful array, some of the scenes of that 
conflict situated in our vicinity. 

Resolved., By the Common Council of the City of Winches- 
ter, That, mindful of our common origin as a nation, and of 
the identity of our interests in the free institutions we enjoy, 
and believing that our hope for the future of our country is 
an undivided one, we feel that these visitors are sons of a 
common country, and that their children shall unite with 
ours in the enjoyment and in the defence of our national lib- 
erties. 

Resolved.^ We extend to our visitors a hearty welcome, and 
tender them the freedom of our city. 



SOUTHERN CORDIALITY. 23 

Resolved., That Captain William L. Clark, the mayor of the 
city, be, and he is hereby, invited to call a mass meeting of 
the citizens of Winchester, to take such steps as may be 
deemed advisable in order to extend a citizen's welcome to 
our visitors. 

The following reply was sent : — 

BENTLEY KERN, 

President of the City Council, Wincliester, Va. 

Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the 
resolutions relating to an excursion to the Shenandoah Valley, 
adopted August 21, by your City Council. 

I assure you, sir, that the spirit of your resolutions is most 
thoroughly appreciated by the projectors of the excursion. 
In the same spirit we visit your beautiful Valley, and meet 
the soldiers of the South as soldiers, not as partisans, to cele- 
brate the valor of American soldiers. What more fitting spot 
for such celebration than the battle-fields of the Shenandoah, 
where this valor was most conspicuously displayed by both 
armies ? Very respectfully yours, 

CARROLL D. WRIGHT, 

Chairman Excursion Committee. 

Boston, Mass., September 1, 1883. 

This courteous and hospitable act of the city which had 
much reason to still cherish something of the war bitterness 
toward those who had so humiliated her, was deeply appreci- 
ated by the veterans, in anticipation. But the reality was 
muoh more. The excursion stepped into the streets of Win- 
chester amid much enthusiasm. The line was at once formed, 
the escort consisting of the Confederate Camp, No. 4, headed 
by the Friendship Band ; the Winchester Light Infantry, 
Captain J. A. Nulton, accompanied by the Sarah Zane Band ; 
and the Committee of the Citizens. The excursion was 
headed by the Union Cornet Band. Through crowded streets 
the procession marched, strange thoughts and conflicting emo- 
tions crowding the heads and hearts of the Union veterans as 
they again trod the rough, familiar pavements of that conflict- 
battered town. The line filed up into the court-house. What 



24 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

an ovation ! Winchester, j^on can never do a handsomer thing. 
The hall was finely decorated ; welcoming and emblematic 
mottoes were placed npon the walls. Solid and liqnid refresh- 
ments, which rose well up to the dignity of a formal banquet, 
so loaded the tables that it seemed that one more straw would 
break them down. The three bands unlimbered. The guests 
were arranged at the tables; ladies and others on the plat- 
form. His Honor, Mayor Clark, a handsome, stately Southern 
gentleman, and eloquent withal, stepped to the front and srud : 

. Grentlemen of the Yeteran Corps of JVew England : — 

I have the honor to offer to 3'ou upon joxva arrival in our 
city, a cordial reception from our people. The City Council, 
having learned several weeks ago of your intended visit to our 
neighborhood, passed resolutions, a copy of which has been 
sent to you, proffering to you the hospitalities of the city ; and 
the citizens at large, in public meeting assembled, have 
directed me, as their official representative, to renew to you, 
as I now do, the sentiments which are expressed in these reso- 
lutions. 

The City Council, with its President, are present here on 
ni}- right, to- unite with me in this reception, and the Winches- 
ter Camp of Confederate Veterans, in charge of its Comman- 
dant, are here upon my left, to join me in the good will and 
courtesies of this occasion. 

You have come, gentlemen, from a distant portion of our 
country, to visit a battle-field which is in the neighborhood of 
this city, in which battle many of you took an active and no 
doubt a gallant part. We well realize that it is natural that 
you should desire to rencAV associations which are of so inter- 
esting a character. We know that you do not come with any 
feelings of antagonism toward us, nor in any vaunting spirit 
over the successes of that day. We know that you would 
not esteem those successes worthy of your recollection had 
they not been severely earned, and hence, as we admire your 
gallantr}^, so we value the tribute to us, which I am sure you 
do not grudgingly concede, that you met on that field a foe 
worthy of your steel. Coming thus to us, gentlemen, we have 



HEALING THE WOUNDS. 25 

the honor to receive you courteously and cordially, and it will 
give us pleasure to furnish to you every facility which will aid 
you in accomplishing the object of your visit. 

It was not necessary, gentlemen, that the State of Virginia 
should have been engaged in war with New England to enable 
it to form a proper estimate of your people, for there has been 
no time when the people of this commonwealth did not recog- 
nize, in its fullest sense, the mental and physical vigor of your 
own. It has been said that there were some portions of the 
South which did not, previous to the war, properly appreciate 
the power of the North. However this may have been else- 
where, it was not so with my own State. Virginia entered 
upon the war in no trifling spirit, but with a deep apprecia- 
tion of the character of those who would be her opponents in 
the struggle. 

Would, gentlemen, that forbearance and diplomac}^ could 
have averted that dreadful ordeal. Would that that war could 
have been avoided, and its panorama of woes never unrolled. 

Those woes, gentlemen, have been keenly felt by us, and 
the furrows left by the war in this vicinity are long and deep. 
I am sure, gentlemen, when you see this, that you will make 
allowance for the weakness and frailty of human nature. I 
fear there are many New England homes — and when we 
speak of such a home we know that it is the centre of edu- 
cated and deep affection — I feel that there is many a home 
with you where the shadow of the bier still remains, from 
which, if we lift the cloth even in a whisper, the tear will be 
seen upon many a furrowed cheek. We stand, gentlemen, in 
respectful and sorrowing silence in the presence of such a 
scene, though distant from us, and I am sure that you also, 
with soldierly character, will indulgently regard the feelings 
of our people. 

I am happy, gentlemen, that time is accomplishing its benefi- 
cent work, and that each year, as it passes, is removing the 
traces of the war and healing the wounds which were received 
in it. The business relations of life are making friends of 
those who were foes, while the amenities of social intercourse 
are smoothing out of sight the harsh recollection of the past. 



26 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Let us hope that each successive year will work out still 
more this happy result, and, forgetting those things which are 
behind, let us press forward to that consummation of peace 
and good will which all true men must earnestlj^ desire. 

Gentlemen, I beg leave now, in conclusion, recurring to the 
object of my opening address, to renew the expression of our 
kindly feelings toward you, and let me add the assurance that 
it will be the chief care of all our people, while you are in our 
midst, that nothing shall occur to mar the pleasure of your 
visit. Let me hope that in returning to your homes you will 
bear with you a friendly recollection of ourselves. 

The speech of Mayor Clark was vociferously applauded, 
and made a most excellent impression. When His Honor 
had concluded. Col. Wright replied as follows : — 

Mr. Mayor, Gentlemen of the Honorable Council, Comrades of 

the Confederate Veteran Association : — 

The noble and generous words with which you have wel- 
comed us and bid us partake of your hospitalities, have, I 
assure you, won the warmest response from every member of 
our party. We expected the courteous reception a Virginian 
always accords his guests, but we did not anticipate the grand 
reception extended us by your government and your citizens. 
We accept your hospitalities, and with the same friendly sen- 
timents on our part which have prompted you to bestow them. 

We have come into your beautiful Valley for the second 
time, now with no scenes of war to make our visit memorable, 
but with peace in our hearts and with j)rayers for the welfare 
of our whole country. Nor do we come in any spirit of glori- 
fication for the events which transpired here nineteen years 
ago. We do come as soldiers, to meet brave men who with- 
stood us manfully in battle, and to pay the tribute which the 
valor of Confederate troops has ever won from the soldiers of 
the Federal army. The war testified to the world the valor of 
American arms, and this is all we wish to carry in our mem- 
ories. Brave men met brave men, fighting for the principle 
they believed to be sacred, and out of this fighting has come 



A NOTABLE BANQUET. 27 

the American soldier ; a soldier reared in the camps of the 
great contending armies of the Civil War, and who now stands 
as the soldier of the futnre, for with this valor which now 
belongs to the whole country we have made the United States 
Volunteer Troops the peers of the soldiers of the world. 
Certainly no foreign foe will care to meet the soldiers of the 
whole United States, for then we shall direct all the bravery 
with which we withstood each other to one end and one pur- 
pose, the renewed vindication of the valor of our men. 

So during our sojourn here let us remember each other as 
soldiers who deserve well of the world, and make our re-union 
one of mutual pleasure ; we shall then, indeed, return to our 
Northern homes with all the pleasant memories you have 
wished for us. 

This concluded the speaking, and the banquet proceeded. 
In every respect the repast was sumptuous and well exempli- 
fied the proverbial Southern hospitality. The reception of 
the people of Winchester to the excursion was a fine affair ; 
something far more cordial than could have been anticipated, 
something to be remembered and cherished by all who enjoyed 
the festivities. 



28 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 



CAMP EMORY. 

The camp of the veterans on the outskirts of Wmchester, 
or rather, in the midst of the battle-fiekl of the Opequan, was 
located on the farm of Mr. J. W. Jarrett, who kindly tendered 
the use of his fiekls for the benefit of the veterans. In honor 
of the senior officer present, the brave and beloved commander 
of the Nineteenth x\rmy Corps, " Camp Emory " was instituted. 
The location could hardly have been better. It was just 
where the first impetuous but disastrous charge of Birge's 
brigade terminated, a little after noon of that memorable day. 
The ground sloped almost every way from the enclosed 
parade-ground. The camp itself was picturesque, and formed 
a striking feature in the landscape. Although the tents, by a 
mistake, were not pitched according to the prescribed plan, 
the somewhat irregular arrangement was not unpleasing to 
the eye, and rather tended to reproduce the hasty bivouacs of 
genuine campaigning. The parade-ground, enclosed by the 
large wall-tents, comprised an area of several acres. The two 
handsomely-decorated tents of the Rhode Island delegation 
were outside the enclosing line of tents, and the famous " Camp 
Lynn " was also on the circumfefence of things. A capacious 
marquee tent was occupied for dining purposes and was located 
a few rods from headquarters. A flag-pole, sixty feet high, 
rose in the middle of the parade-ground, and a large covered 
rostrum was erected near by with seats for nearly one thou- 
sand people. Every outlook from the camp was delightful. 
Near by stood the romantic ruins of the once elegant Hack- 
wood mansion, and every eminence round about had been 
crowned with thundering artillery. Of all spots this was the 
appropriate one for the encampment. In full view was the 
final position occupied by the Rebel army in its last gallant 
stand against the inevitable. The party arrived on the grounds 
about four o'clock, but the tents were not nearly all up. With 
cheerful alacrity the veterans " pitched in," and the canvas city 



SALIENT FEATURES. 29 

was habitable and comfortable before dark. There was room 
for some grumbling, but things were getting in bad shape for 
fault-finding, inasmuch as everything was moving smoothly 
and a first-rate good time was evident to all. There were 
salient features of Camp Emory which deserve mention. The 
cuisine was universally acknowledged to be excellent beyond 
criticism. Perhaps the liveliest man in the excursion was the 
veteran correspondent " Carleton," who, with Mrs. Coffin, 
entered with full zest into the spirit of camp-life. No one ex- 
plored the battle-fields as Carleton did; on the alert every 
hour and able to give information to even the best posted 
veterans. Generals Thomas, Dickinson, and Rhodes ; with 
Colonels Porter and Wellington ; Captains Hall, Sturtevant, 
Rowland, Whitney, Alvord, Baker, Adderman, and Cunning- 
ham ; Lieutenants Pope, Hadley, and Russell ; Surgeon Per- 
kins ; Sergeant Lunt ; Comrades Latham and Farr — these 
were observed by the writer, eagerly scanning the various 
portions of the field and assisting in locating spots of peculiar 
historic interest. There were others equally diligent, no 
doubt, whose labor has not come to my knowledge. Major 
H. E. Alvord of the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, directly 
upon our arrival in the Valley, prepared a complete roster of 
the party, a labor of love, showing much painstaking effort, 
and which was of great service to the excursion. From one 
of the tents was displayed a Sixth Corps ensign with the well- 
known and most honorable emblematic cross blazoned upon it. 
Those " boys" are proud of their corps, and they showed more 
enterprise than did either the Eighth or Nineteenth Corps, for 
no emblem of these two appeared on the field. Several of 
the regiments had their own headquarters, notably the Four- 
teenth New Hampshire, Third Massachusetts Cavalry, and the 
Thirty-eighth Massachusetts. Many of the tents were taste- 
fully adorned, but Little Rhody carried off the palm, for Gov. 
Littlefield's tent was decidedly the prettiest headquarters in 
the camp. " Camp Lynn " was a very " numerous " institu- 
tion, Chaplain Whittemore's was the most decorous. Gen. 
Dickinson's — Connecticut was always on hand at roll-call — 
the most hospitable and thronged, always excepting, of course. 



30 SHERIDAN'S VEJ'ERANS. 

that of the Commandant, Col. Wright, who, with his robust 
and genial Chief of Staff, Maj. Berry, did all of the formal 
" receiving " in a most impressive manner. Gen. Birge hap- 
pened in there rather frequently, and it is reported that he 
told a story — " the greatest effort of his life." But for a real 
Gatling gun story-teller j^ou must go down to the tent of 
Col. T. W. Porter, of the Fourteenth Maine. He was per- 
fectly incorrigible and his yarns were all so apropos that more 
were alwaj^s wanted. 

A night in camp ! The veteran drummer and bugler, Cooper 
and Giffen, sound the supper-call ; glaring torches are set 
about the camp ; lights flicker ; there is a hum in the dining- 
tent, the tables are filled; camp-fires spring up on different 
parts of the parade-ground; the tents show the warm glow 
of candle illumination. The ladies, in full force and conta- 
gious mirth, have monopolized one camp-fire, while unimpres- 
sionable veterans look wistfully toward the position, which 
they finally capture by a flank movement, not risking a 
direct assault. That fire was the favorite resort of a stern- 
visaged Colonel, already mentioned. Here a laugh, there a 
shout; knots growing into groups, and groups swelling into 
crowds. The romance, the wondrous fascination of a gen- 
uine camp on a genuine battle-field, and a field, too, where 
we all had fought, where some of us had bled, and from 
which we had emerged VICTORS ! There is no place like 
the freedom and suggestive associations of a well-ordered 
camp, amid historic scenes, to revive old war friendships and 
to raise the common fellowship to a point where words fail to 
express its meaning. 

Captain H. T. Hall is Officer of the Day, and also the con- 
ductor of the Thirty-fourth's camp-fire. 

The following exceeding brief but pithy description of the 
evening's entertainment is furnished by Caj)tain Hall : — 

Let me say right here that for a " fire " it was the most 
artistic blaze of any of the camp-fires. The Union Band of 
Winchester appeared, as previously arranged, at eight o'clock. 
Maj. Alvord opened the meeting with a short speech, and was ' 
followed by Lieut, Reed, Capt. Rodman, Maj. Noyes, Col. 



THIRTY-FOURTH CAMP-FIRE. 31 

Wright, Comrade Buffiim, and others. Flynn, of Lynn, gave 
an amusing account of his drive of the day from Harpers 
Ferry. The men of the Thirty-fourth were conspicuous by 
their absence in speaking, they all being busy looking for 
some one to speak for them, passing the cigars, and keeping 
the " hre " in burning order. The speaking was interspersed 
with music by the band, which was thoroughly appreciated 
and applauded. 

As the Thirty-fourth was tlie only organization representing 
the Eighth Army Corps on this expedition, I feel it will be 
proper to make the following brief statement. 

The Eighth Corps commenced operations in the Valley 
under Gen. Sigel, April 30, 1864, and some part of the 
corps were in every engagement during the campaign, com- 
mencing with New Market, May 15, and ending at Cedar 
Creek, October 19. In that time the Thirty-fourth marched 
over one thousand miles, were in nine engagements, and lost, 
in killed, one hundred and seven ; wounded, four hundred and 
eighty -five ; prisoners, ninety-seven ; total, six hundred and 
eighty-nine. With one exception, every officer serving in the 
regiment was either killed or wounded. The regiment re- 
ceived the personal commendation of Generals Sheridan and 
Sigel. 

Tattoo and taps ! The moon was full and serene. Ditto 
most of the famous two hundred, but not full in any dubious 
sense. There are no humiliating reflections on that score 
coming up to plague us. Candles did not all go out at taps, 
and campaign reminiscences were gathered up in many a tent. 
Growls and merriment where a late-to-bed hero bundled into 
the Avrong tent. A round of the camp at midnight and again 
at three o'clock, was a vivid reminder of actual service when 
the tired warrior slept with his arms beside him. 

September 19, the great day of the excursion, the day of 
celebration, dawned clear, and the hours came on delightful. 
It was a perfect day. Capt. C. P. Hall, Officer of the Day. 
The men and women of Winchester and all the surrounding 
country came flocking in. Quartermaster Howard was busy 



32 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

supplying members of the camp with saddle-horses and hacks. 
A good many of the veterans rode their chargers much like 
permanently dismounted cavalry. They were not with Custer. 
The Mayor and City Government of Winchester arrive. At 
eleven o'clock the Union Cornet Band strike up a patriotic air, 
the rostrum is filled with notables, and the celebration of the 
battle of the Opequan begins. Sergt. R. Huntoon, Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Fourteenth New Hampshire Veteran Association, 
calls the assembly to order and speaks as follows : — 

My Veteran Comrades : — 

Though it is quite impossible for me to express the emotions 
of this hour, I am grateful for the privilege of reporting my- 
self on this occasion, and of saying just a word. To be per- 
mitted to revisit these familiar scenes, so memorable to us, 
has, for more than a decade, been the subject of my dreams by 
night and of ni}^ longings by day. As the years have sped on, 
and our bodily infirmities have increased, and our members 
have diminished, I have sometimes quite despaired of enjoying 
such an opportunity. These are the very fields on which our 
loyal braves, dead and living, won their country's gratitude 
and their own immortal renown. 

In these mounds and in the sepulchral trench we recognize 
the resting-places of those who marched and fought and died 
by our sides. And you, my comrades, though your cheeks 
are more deeply furrowed by age, and though your locks are 
whiter than of yore, you are the same men who messed with 
us, drank out of the same canteen, and sat around the same 
cheerful camp-fires. Yes, these elderly men upon whom we 
now look are " the boys in blue " who followed the old flag we 
loved so well to triumphant victory, and who hastened to meet 
the foe, and who, though sometimes repulsed, retrieved their 
disasters and won the day. It was in this vicinity that we of 
the Fourteenth Regiment received our first baptism of blood 
and earned our first laurels. It was here that our regiment 
made its first costly contribution of martyrs to our holy cause, 
and that such men as Col. Gardner, and Capt. Chaffin, my 
own dear leader, surrendered their lives that our country 




C. G. Howard 
Quartermaster. 



R. HUNTOON, 

Quartermaster Serg't. 



J. E. Ashley, 
Commissary. 



The Excursion Staff. 



SACRED ASSOCIATIONS. 33 

niiglit live, and that the old flag should not be trailed in the 
dust, who no\Y sleep so peacefully by yonder shaft. Capt. 
Fosgate, Lieuts. Paul and KStone, and many others fell at the 
post of duty. It was here that, under the skilful and intrepid 
generalship of the famous Sheridaii we were led through the 
smoke and shock of battle and first tasted the sweets of vic- 
tory. 

To have helped fight one such battlg and win one such vic- 
tory was to prove that we have not lived in vain. But when 
we review the other efficient services' this organization ren- 
dered the imperilled Union cause, we may safely alfirm that 
neither we nor our children will ever have occasion to blush 
as they read the page we have made in our country's history. 

The satisfaction Avhich this review affords, and^the reflection 
that we have earned our nation's enduring gratitude, causes 
our cup of rejoicing to overflow to-day. The thought that in 
the grand march of duty, national progress, and destiny, even 
'wc have left " footprints on the sands of time," causes our 
bosoms to swell witii a noble pride. To grasp each other's 
hands, and, for another day, amid such scenes and associations, 
to enjoy the fellowship and communion of heroes like these, 
well repays a weary and expensive pilgrimage to this sacred 
shrine. The memories we here revive, and the patriotic 
inspiration we shall here receive, will purify and broaden our 
manhood, and in tlie evening of our days afford us an unfail- 
ing source of pleasurable contemplation. This re-union will 
result in binding our hearts more closely together, and will 
increase the vividness of our remembrance and tenderness of 
our regard for those who sleep on this consecrated spot. It 
will prove again to the nation that we were not mere hirelings 
of the government, but that our loyalty and devotion to our 
beloved country was one of the deepest-rooted principles of 
our nature. It will impress our children with the priceless 
value of our inheritance, and with the necessity of cultivating 
the sacred virtue of patricjtisin. 

To my dying day I shall be glad, therefore, that I had this 
opportunity and that I improved it. Let us be true men in 
every sense, and honor the scars we have so honorably received. 



34 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Increasing years, the hardships we have endured, and the 
wonnds from which many of us suffer, admonish us that this 
is our last earthly meeting. This we cannot fail to regret. 
But let us so live that when a grateful country shall strew our 
graves with flowers we may meet and bivouac forever in the 
land of peace and rest ! 

Chaplain Whittemore supplicates the Divine blessing and 
gives thanks for the n>ercies to-day remembered. The poet 
of the day, Comrade George W. Powers, is introduced and 
the following is his tribute : — 
♦ 
Anniversary of the Battle of Opequan, 

Winchester, Va., Sept. 19, 1883. 

Proud mother State of all the laud, Have no apologies to make, 

Whose breezes first the red cross fanned; This justice to thy sons is due, — 

Where Saxon laws and Saxon force They fought for what they thought was true, 

Began their onward Western course; And fought a figlit so brave and grand, 

Mother of him whose glorious name Tliey won our soldier heart aud hand. 

Is greeted with world-wide acclaim, But here where, in their pride of youth, 

Forever set above the reach Our comrades fought for love of truth. 

Of Malice' hate or Envy's speech; Where manhood showed its noblest side, 

Whose fiery orator gave birth And not for self, but Freedom, died. 

To words that thrilled the brave of earth; We come, to feel the breath again 

Nurse of great statesmen, broad of miud. That swept across the battle-plain, 

Who planned for ages of mankind, — Within our hearts the glow renew 

Here in thy fairest valley's plains, That gives the strength to dare and do. 

Where still the trace of war remains, — 

War waged by us with ruthless baud, — On the rough bivouac's dewy ground, 

The remnant of that hostile band, With war's grim haruess all around, 

Beneath thy skies again we stand. Yet calm as when in early days. 

But not with warlike cries we come. Weary with boyhood's active plays. 

With vengeful trump and angiy drum, Beneath a father's watchful care, 

With cannon's roar, and ritle's flash. Blessed by a loving mother's prayer, 

With bayonets fixed, and furious dash In confidence the army sleeps: 

Of horsemen eager for the fight, The guard alone his vigil keeps. 

Their sabres gleaming in the light. Ay, let them sleep, and dream once more, 

Nor seek we discord to revive, . In fancy fight their battles o'er; 

And dying hate to keep alive; For ere September's nineteenth sun 

Nor to our sous a feud hand down, Has set behind the war-clouds dun. 

The land with misery fresh to crown. Shall many a lad in youth's springtime, 

Too well we know what victory cost. Shall many a veteran in his prime. 

How much brave blood the country lost Feel Death's cold breath across him sweep, 

To settle once, — ay, aud forever, — And enter on his dreamless sleep. 

The question that alone could sever 

This sisterhood of equal States A truce to sleep! 'tis time to wake, 

And banish all our strifes and hates. The camp-fires build, the coffee make; 

And while no backward step we take. For he who fills his place to-day 



THE POET'S TRIBUTE. 



35 



Mu^t fit him fully for the fray. 

Strong arras alone can match strong will, 

Firm heart the brain's demands fulfil. 

To peal of bugle, beat of drum. 

See how the mustering squadrons come,— 

Old Sixth Corps veterans, true and tried, 

Whose blood each battle-field has dyed 

Along Potomac's famous tide; 

And Emory's men, eager to try 

Their soldier pluck 'neath Phil's own eye 

Reddened and bronzed by far South skies. 

The light of battle in their eyes; 

While eager to wipe out the stains 

Of past defeats, of captured trains, 

Of aimless movements up and down 

And all around- Winchester town, 

The grim Eighth Corps now understand 

A soldier born is in command. 

And Wilson, Torbert, Averell, Custer, 

And all the brilliant cavalry cluster, 

Whose deeds of reckless daring long 

Shall furnish themes for warlike song, 

Their foaming steeds to fierce heat spurred, 

With hand on sabre wait the word. 

To charge the foe upon the flanks. 

And dash among his scattered ranks. 

The camp-fires glimmer in the rear, 
The rumbling trains fall on the ear; 
The creek of Opequau is crossed, 
The banners on the breeze are tossed; 
Tlie steady tramp of marching men, 
As troop on troop moves through the glen. 
Gives warning to the Southern host 
That Sheridan is at his post, 
And ere the sun sinks in the west 
Deeds will be done to put to test 
The Southern valor's fiery flood. 
The iron of the Northern blood. 

Wilson's bold charge had swept away 
The foe's advance at dawn of day. 
And now the sun of high noon shines 
Upon the Union battle-lines. 
The long mauceuvring is o'er: 
Puritan and Cavalier once more 
Meet face to face, the Gray and Blue, 
The old, old struggle to renew. 
Begun on England's moors and heights 
For equal laws and manhood's rights. 
New Hampshire stands upon the right: 
This hour will see their maiden fight. 



Sons of the firm old Granite State, 
If in the charge you hesitate, 
Ne'er dare again to lift your eyes. 
Where, towering in our Northern skies, 
Your mountain puaks in Freedom's air 
- Our noblest names forever bear; 
Ne'er let your lips, for very shame. 
Pronounce John Stark's heroic name. 
And you, Massachusetts men! 
Who fight with sword as well as pen, 
, Who trust in Him who rules on high, 
, But still who keep your ])owder dry, 
Remember that your faltering now 
Will gloom your great war governor's brow. 
Andrew! that name to patriots dear, 
Who, in the land's dismay and fear, 
With thrilling words warm from his heart 
Nerved us to act the manly part; 
Whose tender pity knew no bounds. 
Whose own heart bled at all our wounds; 
Whose active brain and tireless arm 
Put forth new strength at each alarm; 
In Freedom's front erect and proud. 
Neither to be beguiled nor cowed; 
And when the long dread war was o'er, 
When hostile threats were heard no more, 
Reached out his generous liand to those 
Who once had been his bitterest foes, 
Laid down his life, his duty done. 
New England's mighty-hearted son. 
And here, from East, and North , and West, 
Armed at the Union's stern behest, 
In one united phalanx stand 
The warlike spirits of the land. 

While, tutored in another school. 

Taught to believe the State should rule, 

To her their first allegiance due, « 

And to their own belief as true; 

Their homes the scene of war's rude track, 

Their smiling fields all waste and black; 

Elated with past victories won 

Ere Stonewall's star its course had run, — 

Stonewall, that Puritan so rare. 

Who seasoned battle with his prayer. 

More like some stern Cromwellian saint, 

Ready with Scripture sayings quaint, 

Than leader of gay Cavalier, 

Who little recked his prayers to hear, 

But who relied on that strong will 

Whose spirit led his veterans still, — 

No braver foe e'er stood at bay 

Than those closed ranks of Early's gray. 



36 



SHERTDAN'S VETERANS. 



One word alone is wanted now: 
'T is written on each soldier's brow; 
'Tis pulsing in each soldier's heart; 
From eye to eye its flashes dart. 
Forward ! cliarge ! the line moves on, 
All doubt, all hesitation, gone, 
"With slow and measured tread at first, 
Then like the storm-cloud's suddeu burst; 
And startling sounds the battle-cry 
That Grover's line sends to the sky. 
Strange frenzy burns within their veins, 
Furious they charge across the plains; 
The old Berserker rage of war, 
Come down from Odin and from Thor, 
Has melted all the frost away: 
The Northern ice is fire to-day. 
The forest echoes to the crash. 
The sabres gleam, the rifles flash, 
"While over all the war-cloud rolls 
Electric with dead heroes' souls. 
Before that charge the bravest flinch, 
And yield the ground, but iuch by inch. 
The opening work is fairly done: 
Now halt, and hold the vantage won. 
Halt ! with the foe in full retreat ! 
Halt ! with the blood at fever heat! 
. And Grover's line right onward sweeps. 
Leaving its dead behind in heaps. 

Evaus' brigade is scattered wide. 
In vain is Gordon's Georgia pride, 
In vain does Early curse and chide: 
Not Stonewall's self could stem that tide 
But war is war ; and when the foes 
Are matched in valor like to tliose 
Who on this field in deadly strife 
for an idea gave limb and life, 
'T is rash to risk a headlong sally 
'Gainst veterans who know how to rally. 
Unless supporting lines are near 
To hold the vantage won so dear. 
Now Braxton's guns belch forth their fires 
And Rodes and Gordon each aspires 
To cover quick the first retreat. 
And back the Union line to beat. 
That tliiu blue line is meltiug fast 
Before the deadly Southern blast ; 
And shattered, crashed, almost wiped out, 
The scattered fragments face about. 
With loud, triumphant shout aud yell, — 
That cry we all remember well, — 
The gray battalions onward come. 
Intent to drive their foemen home. 



Not yet the South has won the day, 
For Dwight's division bars the way : 
Port Hudson well their valor knows, 
Red River's plains hav^felt their blows. 
And still the contest hotter gi-ows, 
And still the blood on each side flows. 

But see ! the Greek cross flies in front, 
Aud Russell bears the battle's brunt. 
Now old Sixth Corps your mettle show ; 
And when to Grant again you go. 
Bear on your banners laurels new. 
Aud while to Sedgwick's memory true, 
Your loyalty to Wright still due, 
No blush need ever red your cheek, 
Nor need you stammer when you speak, 
Of that hot day when, in tlie van. 
You fought and won with Sheridau. 
While Victory fans them with her wings, 
A darker angel comes, and sings 
Another soug in Russell's ear. 
A sudden pallor, not of fear. 
And that brave spirit mounts on high 
Where souls like his can never die. 
But not alone ; for with him goes 
A spirit choice from 'mid his foes. 
And now, when Passion's hour has past, 
And North and South in frieudship fast 
Discuss, while reason cool presides. 
The deeds of heroes on both sides. 
Thy gallant Rodes, O Southern men ! 
Due tribute claims from Northern pen, 
His manly life aud death be sung 
With candid heart by Northern tongue. 
With steady nerve the old corps fight : 
The Southern tide has reached its height. 
And lo ! before its ebbing waves 
Prepare the ground for fresh-made graves, 
A lull broods o'er the stormy scene ; 
Through cannon smoke the sun is seen; 
Aud each side seeks to gather strength 
, The Gordiau knot to solve at length, 
If the rich valley's harvests wide 
Shall with the North, or South, abide. 

A fresh force soou appears in sight, 
The Eighth Corps marching to tlie right, — 
That old Eighth Corps whose brave ca- 
reer 
Virginia's loyal hearts hold dear. 
Alas ! that e'er the threads of fate 
Should pit the Union 'gainst the State ; 
That brothers bred at the same breast 



THE VICTORY WON. 



37 



Should nnders^o tho fearful test, — 
To choose tlie jiath where duty led, 
And their owu mother's blood to shed. 

The battle rages fierce ajrain. 
The Southern charge is made in vain : 
Hurled back before a vvitlicring fire. 
Their broken ranks once more retire. 
Duval aud Thorburn forward rush, 
And Gordon's Georgia vetei-ans pusli. 
One spirit animates the corps : 
Tliis brilliaut hour wipes out the score 
That memory bears of past defeat, 
Of battle lost, and sad retreat. 
Wilson far on the left makes way, — 
Wilson who won at dawn of day, — 
While charge on charge the troopers 

make, 
And prisoners, guns, and banners take. 
The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps press on, 
Through woods, o'er ditches, hedge and 

stone, 
No halting now, and no recall : 
'Tis forward ! forward ! forward all ! 
The South still fights, but fights in vain. 
Ah ! never shall tliey see again 
Their banners fly o'er this fair town. 
Their dear loved valley's piide and 

crown. 
A panic spreads throughont their host : 
The die is cast, the day is lost. 

Oil for that Hebrew warrior's power, 
To bid the sun for one short hour 
Stand still in heaven above the plain, 
To end at once the whole campaign ! 
In vain the wish, for Nature's laws 
Move on without dqlay or pause. 
Man ! work your own salvation out, 
And right the wrongs you brought 

about. 
Aud he, the chief \vho won tlie fight. 
Whose name stands on our rolls so bright, 
No Hebrew myth, no ancient story, 
Is needed to enhance the glory 
That gathers round his magic name, 
That aureoles his well-earned fame, 
The generous and chivalric man, 
The brave and gallant Sheridan. 

And now the city's spires and towers 
Are gilded bv the setting sun: 



Hurrali ! Imrrah ! the day is ours, 
Aud Wineliest(!r u won, is won ! 



Let those wlio staid at home in ease 
Wiien battle-flags waved on the breeze ; 
Who carped aud whined in critic mood 
At what they little understood ; 
Wlu:) bought and sold, and bargains made. 
And of their country's woes made trade ; 
Who never felt the ]iatriot fire 
That Freedom's true-born sons inspire, 
Till life and deatli, aud hope and fear. 
And all that human souls hold dear, 
Pass like the morning mists away 
Before the growing blaze of day, 
And naught on earth is worth esteeming, 
Save that bright flag above them stream- 
ing- 
Let knights like those prate of brute force. 
Weep maudlin tears o'er war's rough 

course, ' 
Tune high the praise of peaceful work, 
And with pale heart man's duty shirk, 
Say, in these piping times of pe.ace, 
All memories of the war should cease. 
But we who mingled in the fray. 
Whether we wore the blue or gray, 
Will cherish^to our dying day 
The memory of those thrilling hours 
When life aud deatli alike were ours, 
When comrades dear fell by our side, 
And in defeat or victory died. 

With all the misery and woe. 

With all of passiou's fire and glow, 

With dire disease's wasting breath, 

And all the fearful forms of death, 

O civil war ! beneath thy tread 

How many souls rose from the dead, — 

The grave where sordid love of gain 

Man's noblest impulses had lain, — 

And throbbing witu a new-born life. 

Grew strong and true amid the strife. 

What though tliat strife was sharp and 

stern ; 
That each side felt defeat in turn ; 
That brother breast to breast met brother ! 
'T was there we learned to know each other. 
And down aloug the coming ages 
Not all the wisdom of the sages 
Will keep our Union firm and true 
As memories of the Grav and Blue. 



38 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

After another piece of well-rendered music, Col. Carroll D. 
Wright, the orator of the day, is introduced and speaks as 
follows : 

Col, Wright's Address. 

Comrades : — 

We live in three epochs at once : the past, the present, 
and the future ; that is, our mental existence consists in 
recollections or knowledge of the past, the activities of the 
present, and in anticipations or speculations as to the future. 
I am speaking of our earthly experience only. The recollec- 
tions of a particular period in our national history is the 
past for us to-day, but it demands of us a philosophical con- 
sideration of its relation to our national present and our 
national future. So we come to this consecrated ground in 
no spirit of glorification of the events which occurred here 
nineteen years ago, but in a broad catholic spirit, willing to 
discuss the events of the civil war as the}^ have influenced 
and will influence the prosperity and well-being of our whole 
country, and glad to recognize the victories won here as vic- 
tories of American valor ; for the battles of the civil war 
were triumphs of the valor of American soldiers, no matter 
which army won the individual victories. The stirring scenes 
enacted in this beautiful vjdley twenty years ago, the fatigu- 
ing and exciting marches and countermarches of alternately 
victorious and defeated armies, the disastrous and the suc- 
cessful campaigns, the brilliant personal experiences, the 
stories of the camp, — all these will be told and retold, by par- 
ticipants on both sides the great struggle, when the camp- 
fires shall be lighted at Winchester, at Fisher's Hill, at 
Cedar Creek, and the veteran shall live over and over again 
that one great luxury of his life, his share in one of the 
most gigantic military strifes of which history gives any 
record. At these camp-fires the foes of war will be the warm 
friends of the present, as ready now, as ever in the old days, 
to fraternize, and ready too to do honor to the valor which 
made the glorious battles of the Valley possible. 

Let every man then feel at liberty to sing the arms and the 



THE INFLUENCE OF WAR. 39 

men of lils own Aviir life, bnt for this occasion my own 
promptings bid me take a wider view, and indnlge in a 
train of tlioiiglit which I have not been able to ignore. 

No party, no section of country, now claims the victory at 
Ilastin^'s as its victory. Hardly can any race or nation (;laini 
it, for it was a victory which gave to the world the grand 
spectacle of English civilization, which has produced indus- 
trial freedom and prosperity. It was but one step, however, 
in that magnificent onward march which began when the 
Aryan left the table-lands of Asia, and turned his face West- 
ward, crossing the borders of the Asiatic Continent, pausing 
here and there to found cities and nations, seeing Greek and 
Roman institutions grow under his touch ; meeting barbarian 
conquest, and sapping from its strength renewed vigor with 
which to push on to the land of the setting sun ; bringing 
France and Western Europe, the British Islands, and finally 
our own America under his progressive sway. All this on- 
pushing influence was accompanied by blood and strife ; war 
Avas the great agent which enabled the Aryan finally to look 
from the Pacific coast across to his own home in Central 
Asia, and it will enable him to complete the small arc of the 
circle wh^ch lies between his present outpost and his birth- 
place. 

The influence of war upon national existence, upon civiliza- 
tion, upon the growth of religion even, constitutes one of the 
most attractive studies to be found in the v/hole range of 
philosopliical liistory. 

IJeraclitus, a philosopher of Athens 450 years before the 
Christian Era, advanced the startling doctrine that war, — 
strife, was the father of all things. He of course spoke of 
war as embodying all strife. To-day we believe that the 
right to hold property is one which lies at the very founda- 
tion of civilization and all progress; but that right, as Dr. 
Hedge tells us, was established by force, as shown in the 
story of Cain. He calls the establishment of that right the 
first step in civilization, and says it was achieved by conflict, 
and that every succeeding step of deep and lasting import 
has been achieved in the same Avay. *■' It is the method of 



40 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

history. If we cast but a glance along the tide of time we 
shall see that the one universal condition, if not the prime 
agent, of civil progress and civil liberty has been war. Not 
a step has society advanced which haS' not been contested 
with arms and purchased with blood. The civil and religious 
liberty we hold so dear, the right of private judgment, the 
right of self-government, the establishment of every important 
principle in civil legislation, — with what conflicts and fight- 
ings and bloodshed these blessings have been purchased." * 
Industrial and social freedom has been purchased with the 
same currency — the shedding of blood. "Periods of peace 
in the history of nations have been but armistices, brief tem- 
porary breathing spaces interposed in the stated, normal, sec- 
ular war which began with Cain, and has raged in our day 
with unabated violence. Society advances from conflict to 
conflict. So it has been hitherto, and so it will be till the 
animal in man lias been developed out of him and succumbs 
to the spiritual." * Events that have had a lasting influence 
upon the world were born in blood that they might be more 
thoroughly stamped upon after generations : but we see God in 
them all : we recognize, emphatically, the wisdom and power 
of the Supreme Law Giver, the design of the Great Designer, 
for we see that all along the path of liistory God seems to 
have trained up, or particularly favored a people, and then 
inspired them to push their conquests over and through ob- 
stacles to civilization, carr^dng advanced ideas with their 
arms. In all these conflicts, of any importance, the best 
computation shows that six billion men have been slain. 
This study shows us that war has been, and is, the great 
ploughshare that has subsoiled the hard-pan of nations, and 
hastened the growth of civilization ; and it will not cease to 
furrow deep till all the nations of the earth are brought to 
God ; and till then this great army, slain in battle since the 
world began, which is now camped on eternal fields and 
marshalled by sainted martyrs, will not be disbanded. 

Contemplate, if you can, that immense army Avhich was 
recruited first from the table-lands of Central Asia, in the 
* The Primeval World of Hebrew Traditions. — F. H. Hedge. 



DEGRADATION OF LABOR. 41 

march for civilization, and constant!}' augmented in its West- 
ward course of conquest, so large iiow tluit if in solid column, 
regimental front, it would extend around the globe, — is 
steadily marching on, on to the music of advancing ages, its 
ranks ever and ever increased b}^ heroes, martyrs, who died 
for the benefit of others, and whose souls catch the step of 
progressing spirits. Contemplate this, my comrades, and do 
not question the inspiration martial array and combat have 
given the world, and the memories they have given its sol- 
diers. Congratulate yourselves, wherever you fought, that 
you lived through one such epoch, and one which meant 
more for the peace and welfare of the great mass of the peo- 
ple of this country than any preceding ; and congratulate 
3'Ourselves, too, that you stood shoulder to shoulder with 
brave men in the supremest moments of their lives as they 
were swept through the agony of their glory ; — and more 
still, that the holiest grave on earth is where a slain hero 
lies, and still more, that by your deeds of valor, by their great 
sacrifice, the time has been hastened when war shall be no 
more, and peaceful modes of adjusting national and interna- 
tional difficulties shall be the rule among men. 

"With all this wealth of experience from the military records 
of history for our grand past, what signification, so far as the 
prosperity of our country is concerned, has our own immedi- 
ate past, the past brought to mind liy the events we com- 
memorate to-day ? 

The American civil war, like nearly every other, was 
organized for political purposes, but the philosophy of it 
teaches us that it was in realit}^ a great labor movement. 
Feudalism and American slavery meant the same thing, the 
degradation of labor. 

It is perfectly true that a vassal or a slave, with a St. Louis 
for the feudal lord or the master, was more completely sure 
of physical comfort Avhile in working condition, and care and 
comfort when old or disabled than are the free workers 
of the world, yet it has been the freedom of labor which has 
conquered the material obstacles which have constantly beset 
the way of industrial progress. Divested then of all political 



42 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

significance, the war was one of economic forces, with good 
or ill results to the industrial elements of the nation and par- 
ticularly the South, for the South had existed under a form 
of labor entirely antagonistic to that existing at the North 
and in all other lands where material progress had marked 
the growth of peoples. The South had been waiting, as had 
the late Count Chambord of France, for the world to turn 
backwards, and to bring with such turn the wealth which 
comes from a development of natural resources. An abun- 
dance of these resources existed there. With rich deposits of 
iron and other ores, and the coal to work the ore ; with tim- 
ber, pasture, and arable lands without stint; with water powers 
that might induce mechanics from all lands to settle there ; 
with a climate to lure the dwellers from inclement zones ; 
with scenery as varied and as beautiful as can be found in all 
the states ; with all these advantages immigration sought 
the flat, cheerless, shadeless, malarial districts of the West. 
Why ? Simply because free labor will not put itself in com- 
petition Avith labor that does not own itself. So the politi- 
cians of the country, no matter Avhat their motives were, 
acted as all other agents of God, and accomplished by severe 
means the emancipation of the labor of the South, and with 
that emancipation has come industrial competition with the 
North and Europe. Tlig buzz of machinery is becoming 
familiar to Southern ears. The country at large is learning 
again the oft-repeated lesson that no country devoted to one 
industry can hope for much success, but that in a diversity 
of employments lies the welfare of a people. 

The cultivation of the soil, the most attractive branch, 
may be, of human industry, and honorable and independent 
in the highest degree, rarely if ever alone brings the national 
prosperity so essential to progress. Only Avhen agricvilture 
in all its variety is allied to the mechanic arts can the best 
industrial results be expected. These conditions are com- 
ing rapidly in the South, and with their coming comes 
the industrial difficulties of the present, not as the result of 
their coming alone, but contemporaneously. Yet with their 
coming comes an apparent complication, in this, that the 



POLITICAL DEMAGOGUES. 43 

labor of the factories of the South is of a priniilive kind as yet 
and as such its wages are the miuimuni wages, while this labor 
competes with the older and better paid labor of the North. 
This variance in the wages paid in the two sections Avill not, 
however, have any lasting, and but little, if any, temporary 
influence upon wages at the North, but as the mechanic arts 
become more extensive in the South, then its labor will seek 
a corresponding elevation in rates, and so while now the 
South is free from what are called labor difficulties, the time 
will soon come when free labor will demand its reward. 

While slavery is the simplest form of labor as despotism 
is the simplest form of government, the moment freedom 
comes, individual rights become prominent and social and 
political government correspondingly complicated. Strikes, 
lock-outs, and all the apparent evils of the apparent struggle 
between lal)or and capital will l)ecome familiar in the South 
ag they have been and are in the North, and with them will 
come dreams of the peaceful days of slave labor, — but, com- 
rades of the South, you who fought for the principles under- 
lying 3^our philosophy of secession, remember that to you, as 
much as to au}^ class of men, if not more, is entrusted the 
industrial peace of the South, as to the veterans of the whole 
land is entrusted the same peace ; in this, that you and they 
know the penalt}" of war. You and they know the cost of 
political differences when brought to the arbitrament of 
arms. 

You must see that political demagogues do not seize upon 
labor strifes as a pretext to secure power. This is our pres- 
ent. No war is in our immediate liistory. No great political 
questions agitate our peoples as they do those of European 
countries. We have no vital questions before us which 
mean to us what the vital questions of European politics mean 
to the peoples of Europe. Our questions so far as magni- 
tude is concerned belong to the economic development of 
the resources of our country. Our future, the next quarter 
of a century, is to m}^ mind a continuance of the same con- 
tests with nature — till some great political necessity absorbs 
the minds of the people. We may have to take arms to con- 



44 SHERIDAN' S VETERANS. 

vince Mexico that we can develop her natural riches faster 
and surer than she can herself. We may have to teach a few 
lessons here and there, for political reasons, but the great 
questions for us to meet grow out of industrial relations and 
interests, and although politicians will turn first to one side 
and then the other, of the economic forces of the country, 
the line of march will be quite independent of them after all, 
and will leave them standing on the border of the great high- 
way along which the industrial armies will move, wondering 
at their Own stupidity. 

With Southern development there will come, not a loss of 
industries in the North, but a change in their character, and 
through this change, with the development in the South, 
the permanent relations of the two sections upon a basis 
of mutual interest will be founded, for the welfare of one is 
the welfare of the other. 

But you say, may be, if there are to be labor difficulties 
in the South, where is the progress? Our own future will 
answer this, and this future we must meet. The industrial 
problems of this future may well excite the anxiety of conser- 
vative minds, for upon their treatment depends the peace of 
the country and may be, of the industrial world. 

No religious contest can claim your services. No purely 
class war can enlist them ; but your very best services must 
be called to the social and economic contests of our epoch. 
You may ask, (I am speaking to representatives of all sec- 
tions) Avhere are the statesmen to guide us ? You may say 
we have no statesmen. Well, Avhat do we want of states- 
men ? There is not an existing leading political issue in this 
country that involves the prosperity of the people at large. 
In Europe there is hardly one that does not affect the pros- 
perity of European peoples. We have no use just now for 
great political leaders. When we do need them they will 
come ; but we have men who have the minds to project and 
carry to success great industrial and commercial enterprises 
that would have staggered the great statesmen and generals 
even of the past. These men exhibit a capacity for the or- 
ganization of varied forces which commands our enthusiastic 



ARISTOCRACY OF BRAINS. 45 

julniivation, for the i^-cnius tliev (lis|)l;iy finds no equal in past 
enterprises. To such men the business of government would 
l)e mere child's l)lay, for our government is run by public sen- 
timent, not by statesmen. There is hardly a county in the 
countiy that could not contribute a very good president and 
his wliole cabinet. So while at present we want fidelity and 
good ability in all government places, Ave hardly need great- 
ness, but we must have commanding genius in the Leaders 
of Industry. We never had a Nation till the war bronght 
lis to maturity, and now the leaders of industry are teaching 
the world that America holds the key to future supremacy 
among nations, so far, at least, as material development is 
concerned, and this material development is creating an aris- 
tocracy here in whose ranks the proudest may march, — the 
aristocracy of brains. It is this new aristocracy that is 
rapidly supplanting the old in England. In America this 
great development gives us occasionally the colossal wealth 
of a Vanderbilt ; but Vanderbilt's millions are mere dross 
without a moral community, for whose benefit they must 
really be invested. Fortunes belong to men, but the prin- 
ciples of their value are of God. There is no return for 
inactive capital, and mere money is nothing to its owner 
without activity. It is against the bad use of great fortunes 
men have a right to enter their j)rotest. When used in fos- 
tering the grand projects of peace, the establishment of 
institutions of learning, of carrying on the work of inter- 
communication, of opening new lines of industry, all such 
employments of wealth call for the very best genius of our 
land ; and in these lines of work are to be found the men 
who, under great national extremities, will step to the front 
as statesmen and generals. These men are gradually coming 
to the conviction that moral forces should be recognized in 
the conduct of industrial affairs, that property has no value 
except when surrounded by a moral and industrious people, 
and that a well-paid and reasonably contented workman is 
worth more, not only to industry, but to himself and his 
community, than one poorly paid ; and that the best paid 
labor IS the cheapest in every economic sense. The growth 



46 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

of this sentiment, Avhich belongs to the present age more 
than to any preceding, will overcome the labor difficulties 
which harass the public, injure the workingmen, and damage 
capital. With this spirit finding a lodgment in old indus- 
trial communities, the newer ones must come under its influ- 
ence ; so the labor troubles of the South will have less of the 
antagonisms shown in those of the North. Take no stock in 
the cry of a labor war, but quietly exert all your influence as 
men who have a right to demand to be heard in the interest 
of all movements which tend not only to elevate labor but to 
teach the employers of labor the necessity of their recogniz- 
ing the utter worthlessness of capital, until intelligent labor 
vitalizes the machinery it sets in motion. 

The wage system of laljor is an infinite improvement upon 
the slave system which the war set aside, and our prosijerity 
must be secured under it for the present ; but if it must give 
way in order that the profits of production shall be more 
equally and justly shared between the two elements of all 
industry, labor and capital, I believe the aristocracy of brains, 
made up from the best minds of both elements, will solve the 
question when it must be solved ; but it cannot be solved 
now, for the very conditions which make the sj^stem of com- 
petition a necessity, will prevent such solution. I mean con- 
ditions of ignorance. The wage system, which now exists in 
all parts of our land, must hold sway till the leaders of in- 
dustry are ready to obey the golden rule. In every instance 
where this rule has been adopted in industrial establishments, 
and the instances are by no means rare either in this or in the 
old country, the solution has been met, and the moral, sani- 
tary, and intellectual conditions of the wage workers vastly 
improved. The results of the war are bringing all these 
questions more clearly to the minds of men, and as they be- 
come clearer, our material prosperity will be augmented. 
Do not allow it to be said that the veterans of the war do 
not recognize the part they can play in the contests of their 
present. 

These contests lead many to fear the advance of socialism 
and communism, and lead others to hope for socialistic revo- 



SOCIALISTIC KEVOIUTIONS. 4T 

liitions wliich sluill seek to remedy llu; social and iiulustiial 
troubles of the day by tearing' down the ohl slructures, to 
tlie very fouiuhition, and buikling anew, instead of utilizing; 
the existing structures in tlie work of progress. Here is an 
apparent contest for onr neaa* future. The men who believe 
in demolishing the present structures and laying new founda- 
tions tell us society is on the verge of destruction. Well, it 
always has been. 

Need we fear socialism, — have we been touched by it? 
Socialism is a growing power in the world. Not the icono- 
clastic socialism of the socialistic party, but the pure, Chris- 
tian socialism whicli is molded and guided by wisdom and 
experience. I say this is a growing power because it has won 
partially in every revolution which has been waged for the 
rights of man. Our own Revolution was a war out of wliich 
grew the most socialistic compact of modern times — the 
Constitution of the United States. It was one of those revo- 
lutions described by Emerson, which " are read with pas- 
sionate interest," and which "never lose their pathos by 
time." Revolutions, " when the cannon is aimed by ideas, 
when men with religious convictions are behind it, when men 
die for what they live for, and the mainspring that works, 
daily urges them to hazard all." In such revolutions "the 
cannon articulates its explosions with the voice of a man; tlie 
rifle seconds the cannon, and the fowling piece the rifle, and 
the women make the cartridges, and all shoot at one mark ; 
then gods join in the combat ; then poets are born, and the 
better code of laws at last records the victory." 

Every advance made by the country since that compact 
has been socialistic, and the next great step, government con- 
trol of our telegraph system, will prove to the u orld the 
truth and soundness of tliese statements. The civil war re- 
sulted in giving the suffrage to millions of bondmen, the 
most socialistic revolution the world ever saw, or socialists 
ever dreamed of; but all these movements have been in the 
interest of humanity, not to found a socialistic state ; not 
iconoclastic endeavors to rid the world of evils; but the 
natural outuiowth of increased wisdom. In the <'rowih of 



48 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

such socialism there is no danger, and under our institu- 
tions there is no room for any other. The communistic dis- 
tributi(m of property would be retrogression to the infancy 
of tribes. This is an impossibility. The only communism 
needed is that which increases the opportunities for securing 
property, for in the idea of property is the fountain head of 
our civilization ; with and for its growth all our institutions 
of government have been framed ; the comity of nations, 
which is the welfare of the world, takes it for the basis of 
rule and action, and it is to its sacredness and to the inviola- 
bility of its rights Ave look for the further and continued pro- 
gress of mankind. Certainly this is true of the American 
States, for the constant influx of strangers who come from 
less favored lands to better their own condition would soon 
put us at a disadvantage here were it not for the facilities of- 
fered by our laws and customs for acquiring propertj^ in land. 
Ownership of a bit of land makes the owner a law-and-order 
man. Herein is our safety against iconoclastic socialism. It 
is this Avhich precludes the possibility here of an Irish ques- 
tion, of a land question, or even of a very important Chinese 
question. The Chinese question, to my mind, is one which 
will complicate the industrial contests of which I have 
spoken ; and that will come when the Chinese begin to run 
manufactories in their own country ; then the Chinese ques- 
tion Avill be the same as the American question, — how shall 
their country prosper in the highest sense of the word pros- 
perity, — morally, intellectually, industrially. 

Socialism offers no new remedy for existing evils. It easily 
arraigns society. It says insanity has increased ; so it has, 
because tlie competition of the age is that of mind Avith mind, 
and the feeble or overstrained minds break ; of old it Avas 
muscle against muscle. Again, the facts as to insanity are 
more fully collected, and we compare perfected Avith very 
crude statistics. But the socialist says Ave have more feeble 
people Avith us than of old. True, because under the civili- 
zation of this century the feeble can live, and in comfort, and 
even support themselves, if need be, while of old thej^ died ; 
only the most robust could survive and no others were seen. 





u^-m' 



f*fi 



x-'^^. 



' 1 *..,/%, .1 




A strp:kt in harpers ferry 




JOHN liRuwN's fort. 



INDUSTRIAL PROSPERITY. 49 

Again he says pau})erisni grows ; so it does, but artiriciall}', 
for we take care, and take connt of onr poor now ; the suc- 
cessfnl in life feel an ol)liga,tion to the nnsnucessfnl. So I 
might take up many other features of the socialistic contest 
which we shall have to im>et. The one mistake the socialist 
makes is in not recognizing the progress the world is making ; 
in not seeing that the age of machinery is constantly lifting 
people from low to higher and better conditions ; in not per- 
ceiving that the borders of the class which is apparently 
doomed to stand at the bottom of society are growing nar- 
rower and narrower. 

There is no danger from socialism if American soldiers 
will continne to show to the world that a peace which is 
maintained by the very force of patience and of moral order 
is far better than any which can come from an examination 
of the point of a bayonet or the personal analysis of the con- 
tents of a thirteen-inch shell. 

My friends, there is more religion in the world than of old, 
but less talk about it ; more practice, and less theory ; more 
service to humanity and less selfishness. Under these con- 
ditions, again I sa}^, no socialism but the right kind can in- 
stitute a civil contest in this country, for industrial progress 
kills destructive socialism and aids and furthers constructive 
socialism. 

This national industrial prosperity is coming to us. The 
Atlanta Exposition and the present Exposition of Southern 
products at Boston could not have taken place prior to 1861. 
Now they can be held, and be the means, too, of bringing 
the reciprocal interests of all sections into prominent con- 
sideration. Such events, betokening the essential needs of 
tlie country, can have but one result, the growth of a national 
spirit in tlie truest and highest sense. 

You, soldiers of the North, and you, soldiers of the South, 
cm perform the lion's share of service in the great moral 
contests of the present and future which I have briefly out- 
lined. 

Rememl)er, you have liad tlie inestimable luxury of living 
as young meii through a great civil strife, and are still \oung 



50 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

enough to see the great moral and industrial fruits of that 
strife. Two decades only have brought to this land what the 
most hopeful could not have expected in less than half a cen- 
tury. While you are passing middle life contemplate that 
past, and let your golden years witness the crowning of this 
nation's industrial supremacy. 

In the spirit of this meeting of friends on consecrated 
ground where once they were foes ; in the spirit of the reso- 
lutions of the government of this ancient town welcoming 
our New England soldiers ; in the spirit of the martyr who 
wished to govern with malice towards none, Avith charity to 
all ; in the spirit of that second martyr who fought over this 
sacred soil, and who closed his eyes upon earth on the anni- 
versary of Opequan ; in the spirit of this address, I call you 
all comrades, for in the contests of the future we shall stand 
shoulder to shoulder, and I urge you to fight the battles of 
our national future with all the valor you have shown be- 
longs to American arms. 

You, soldiers of the North, who have borne your victories 
with a becoming sense of patriotism and with no hatred of 
your foes ; you, soldiers of the South, who have shown the 
world as sublime an example of patience under, the trying 
experiences of reconstruction as history records, — you have 
an influence in shaping results which can be feeble or power- 
ful as you choose. Your mettle has been tried. We know 
what that influence will be. God grant the contests of the 
future may be moral ones only. Let this excursion and such 
as this, and all iuterchange of fraternal courtesies between 
the different sections of our country teach our children that 
men can fight for what to them is truth and, principle, and 
abide by the results, with religious submission, like men and 
like patriots. 

With such a spirit in our midst, and with such lessons to 
posterity, no Gibbon of the future can write the story of the 
decline and fall of the American Republic, and no page in 
history can record the failure of the grandest republican ex- 
periment of all time. 

We, makers of the history of our own times, can turn our 



A REMARKABLE SERVICE. 51 

e_yes with confidence to the contemphilion of the future 
grandeur of our common country. 

Heroes are sleeping side by side in holy graves, and they 
sleep in peace. The nobler part of man may succumb to a 
temporary madness, but he is nevertheless a man, and when 
the cloud has rolled away he is restored to a man's rights and 
privileges ; so, o'er the grave foes have struck hands and 
proclaimed a truce forever. Over brothers' graves let brothers' 
quarrels die. Let there be peace between us, nay, more, let 
there be amity between us, that the arms we learned so well 
to use, if ever used again, may strike only at the common 
foe. God spare us the experience, but some of us may live 
to celebrate tlie valor of American arms after some day of 
glory, wlien the sons of rebels and the sons of federals shall 
have fallen side by side in some common cause of foreign 
war, as their sires fell side by side under the eye of the great 
rebel, who had no treason in him, the Virginian, Washing- 
ton. 

The remaining exercises of the occasion consisted of brief 
statements of the part which each regiment acted on this 
famous field. 

Ex-Congressman Whittemore, now Chaplain of this excur- 
sion, speaks for the Thirtieth Massachusetts; Gen. E. H. 
Rhodes, for the Second Rhode Island ; Capt. H. T. Hall, for 
the Thirty-fourth Massachusetts ; Capt. C. P. Hall, for the 
Fourteenth New Hampshire ; Maj. E. L. Noyes, for the Third 
Massachusetts Cavalry ; Lieut. W. A. Tarbell, for the Thirty- 
eighth iNlassachusetts. This concludes the formal celebration 
of the day. 

A REMARKABLE SERVICE. 

The annals of war, the polished phrasing of a world's liter- 
ature, the ardor and imagination of all the bright galax}" of 
])oets, furnish no description or hint for our use in the en- 
deavor to delineate the scene Avhicli held spellbound the 
veterans of two fiercely contending armies and a great sur- 
rounding audience on that delicious Southern afternoon. It 



52 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

was announced that the Fourteenth New Hampshire would 
decorate the monument and graves made sacred by its dead 
of the Opequan field. When the line Avas formed at three 
o'clock nearly the whole of the excursion fell in. It \yas not 
one regiment, it was the entire company which paid the 
exquisite tribute. The memorial service committee consisted 
of Capt. C. P. Hall, Sergt. F. H. Buffum, Lieut. E. D. Hadley, 
and Comrade C. S. Farr. The Color-Sergeant, who took the 
national standard of the Fourteenth through this battle, again 
donned the very sling worn nineteen years ago and on each 
side of him were members of his old color-guard in the fight. 
Pleaded by the Union Band the line marclied to the ceme- 
tery. This cemetery is in charge of Supt. A. B. Drum, a 
veteran of the Sixteenth Ohio Infantry and the Fifth Ohio 
Cavalry. The writer finds it difficult to express his apprecia- 
tion of Comrade Drum's service to this excursion. The tire- 
less patience, the tact, the zeal of this most efficient official 
deserve to be spread at length upon these pages. His labors 
were essential to the perfection of the arrangements of the 
Winchester camp. Mrs. Drum was equally enthusiastic, and 
in the preparation of flowers for the cemetery service she was 
a great help, coming to the camp and co-operating with the 
ladies of the excursion. The Fourteenth Regiment is under 
obligations to the following ladies of Winchester for flowers 
contributed: Mrs. Miller, Miss Kate Miller, Miss Ella Brown, 
Mrs. Cordelia Aulick, Mrs. Hoover, Mrs. Thatcher," Mrs. Geo. 
Thatcher, and also to Mr. Houck. 

As the line of veterans with the ladies and guests in car- 
riages approached the cemetery the band played a dirge, and 
to slow funereal time the strange procession filed in among the 
thousands of graves where sleep the brave of the Union forces 
in the Shenandoah. The line encircled the New Hampshire 
monument, veterans from every New England State standing 
shoulder to shoulder in the solemn presence. Amid a throng 
of thousands of witnesses the simple but wondrously beautiful 
service of the liour proceeded. The impressive notes of the 
band paved the way. Then Chaplain Whittemore offered a 
touching invocation. There Avere four comrades selected to 
pronounce the memorial tributes. 



CAPT. HODGDON'S TRIBUTE. 53 

TkII'.UTE of CaI'T. C. \\ . IIODGDON. 

Comrades : — 

Standing here as we do, sun-oiinded by these voiceless mon- 
nments of patriotic devotion silence would be, to me, far more 
eloquent than speech. For what words can express the emo- 
tions of our hearts, as we read tlie names sculptured upon this 
granite, but more indeUbly stamped upon the memory of every 
comrade, as with tearful eyes we perform these sad memorial 
rites. And altliougli many years have elapsed since they were 
borne silently from yonder battle-field, the scene is as fresh to 
our minds as though but two days instead of twenty years 
had passed, since last we gazed upon their familiar faces. And, 
as I listen, there seems to come from those old heroes of the 
past, — of far-away Lexington and Concord, — borne by swift- 
winged messengers, words of kindly greeting to their brother 
heroes who lie buried here, and whose deeds will live when 
this monument, erected to their memory, shall have crundiled 
back to dust. Could their tongues, long silent, now respond 
if asked, "What deeds have you performed? What record 
have you left, that these comrades here assembled should have 
made so great a pilgrimage to place these floral tributes above 
your last resting place?" they would answer: "We were but 
humljle citizens surrounded by home, friends, everything that 
made life dear; but when our country's flag was assailed we 
left all and went forth to avenge the insult. AVe went forth, 
but we never returned. We died for the honor of our coun- 
try's flag ; we died to perpetuate those glorious institutions 
which our forefathers died to establish. We gave up our lives 
for every man, woman and child throughout this extended 
world Avho is to-day struggling for liberty and the right. And 
the record we have left is this : our names are inscribed on 
the soldiers" monument erected upon the battle-field at Win- 
chester. We gave our lives freely, that liberty might not per- 
ish from off the earth." 

Their threads of life were suddenly broken. l)ut not one 
tlu'ead was lost ; for that Eternal hand that guides this great 
loom is to-day gathering up every thread and fibre, and weav- 
ing them into beau.tiful desio-ns in the great web of lite. Those 



54 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

designs, comrades, yon and I may not see to-day, but we can 
trust that Almighty hand, for we know He doeth all things 
well. As not one sparrow falls to the ground without its 
Maker's notice, of how much more value were these heroes, 
who fell bravely contending for the great God-given principles 
of human liberty. 

And, comrades, may we so do our duty to this " old flag " 
that these brave heroes whose remains lie slumbering beneath 
these sods, whose life-blood was mingled with the dust of this 
Valley, and whose lives were sacrificed upon the altar of their 
nation's libevty, may not have made that great sacrifice in vain. 

Tribute of Lieut. E. D. Hadley. 

Veteran Comrades : — 

What one of us can, after the lapse of nineteen years, re- 
visit these scenes of strife, and stand in these grounds devoted 
to the sepulture of our fallen comrades, without the deepest 
emotion. 

As I reflect that beneath these mementos of the dead was 
laid all that was mortal of soldier-companions : that for nine- 
teen long years has mouldered here the hand so often grasped 
in friendship : the ej^e that flashed back again the merry 
glance of goodfellowship ; the lineaments of faces once aglow 
with the light of intelligence and ever filled with the resolu- 
tion of an earnest purpose, a sadness that craves no expression 
in words comes over me. The thought forces itself upon me 
that no words, no form of speech is adequate to the occasion. 

These men who fell on yonder field of battle, or elsewhere 
met a soldier's fate, and whose death is commemorated here, 
were, among those dearly beloved hills and A^alleys of New 
England, our neighbors, our friends. They were our compan- 
ions of the camp, the mess, the tent ; our file-mates on the 
drill and parade ground; our co-sufferers on the march, our 
co-learners in the art of war. We had shared the same priva- 
tions, the same alarms, the same dangers, the same hopes, the 
same fears. A comradesliip of years had assimilated our dif- 
ferences and had welded our friendsliip. There had arisen a 
brotherhood of feeling, wliich none of the later associations 



LIEUT. HAD LEY'S TRLBUTE. 55 

of life have sufficed to efface from the hearts of tlie living'. 
But amid the thunder of cannon, the bursting of shell, the 
shrieking of shot, the charging of squadrcjns, and the din and 
smoke of battle, the ties that united ns were mercilessly bro- 
ken. Our comrade brothers were borne here to their last 
home, their lifeless and mangled bodies mute but sure wit- 
nesses to the unfaltering courage with which they met the duty 
of the hour, and a fate no less sad because, alas ! so common. 
In the flush of youth, in the beautiful strength of early man- 
hood, they had gone forth, a voluntary offering at the shrine 
of duty and country, and here had the sacrifice been accom- 
plished. But no tongue can ever tell, nor shall the mind grasp, 
nor the heart of mortal conceive the extent of the sacrifice. 

They were no unwilling conscripts : no hireling soldiery 
were marshalled for battle beneath the folds of our regimental 
colors; no recuiting offices were opened in the areas and corri- 
dors of jails or prisons ; but the intelligent and independent hus- 
bandman unyoked the cattle from the plow : the teacher closed 
the school-house : the mechanic hung his apron beside his 
bench ; colleges and nurseries of science and the arts marched 
their classes into camp : all professions loosed their hold on 
their members ; and these uniting our regimental colors were 
loj'ally followed by a body of men embracing all the elements 
of the most enlightened commonwealth. 

Though the mysterious bond that united soul and body 
may have been mercifully snapped so suddenly as to pre- 
clude the idea of conscious suffering on the part of the heroic 
dead, yet, every bullet that performed its mission of deatli 
on the battle-field, opened agonizing wounds in the hearts 
of loving fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, wives, children 
and sweethearts around the distant firesides of stricken homes ; 
wounds that are sore, and still bleeding ; and their fond 
hopes, proud ambitions, and glowing anticipations of happy re- 
unions and a joyous future with the returning wanderers, were 
ruthlessly destroyed and served to augment the volume and 
the value of the sacrifice. 

But while survivinc^ love still nu)urns their fall and a OTate- 
fid nation guards their last resting place, can we suppose the 



56 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

dead repine and tliat those brave hearts lament their own fate ? 
From the mysteries that lie in the great future I cannot pre- 
tend to lift the veil, but we know how thorouglily our soldier}^ 
had counted the cost and estimated tlie probabilities of falling 
in battle, and Avhat was so deliberately laid down we cannot 
believe they would desire to reclaim. . 

Though tlie heart is full of sadness ; though the tear unbid- 
den clouds the sight : though the choking sob wells up in the 
throat, as feelings of tenderness arise for the comrades so early 
and so suddenly launched into eternity, so prematurely cut 
off in youthful prime from all that could make this world en- 
joyable, we may take to our hearts the comforting reflection 
that the ills of earth no more enslaved or burdened them ; 
that they were thus set free from -the toil and turmoil and 
struggles of life. And I can easily conceive that among us, 
their companions in arms, to-day there stand elbow to elbow 
with us these disembodied souls rejoicing with us at the happy 
termination of that great conflict, and at the progress of an era 
of prosperity, unparalleled, that showers its blessings on one 
great and united people. 

Long have they slept the sleep that knows no earthly awa- 
kening. " After life's fitful fever they sleep well." The roll-call 
of that autumn morning nineteen years ago was their last on 
earth. In the ranks of the embattled hosts of Death alone are 
they now enlisted — mustered out of earthly service by an 
order which no commander-in-chief can countermand or evade. 
They never more charge the foe or resist the onset; never 
more pursue or retreat before the pursuer. Peaceful is their 
bivouac beneath these Southern skies. No Avatchful sentry 
keeps guard over the slumbers of the boys in blue, or challen- 
ges their whilom enemy in gray who so peacefully sleeps the 
last sleep of the brave in yonder cemetery. Side by side, foes 
no longer, sleep the blue and gray, leaving beliind them alike 
a rich legacy of bravery and devotion. 

" No stain upon their manhood, 
No memory of the Past, 
Except the common valor 
That made us one at last ! " 



i 



CAPT. HALLS TRIBUTE. 57 

Beautiful, appropriate, and honorable as is the custom of 
erecting monuments of brass, or ircui, or marl)le, on which to 
engrave the record of the noble lives and heroic deaths of the 
fallen in honorable battle, there stands, rising higher, more 
massive, more resplendent than all such memorials, a monu- 
ment, which after brass and iron shall have been corroded and 
marble shall have crumbled into dust, shall ever stand in per- 
petual commemoration of the deeds of those who survived, as 
well as of those who went down to rise no more beneath the 
shock of battle, — one grand, masterful Nation, purified, uni- 
fied, and united. 

" Cover Them over with Flowers " was sung by a quartette 
consisting of Capt. C. P. Hall, Capt. J. W. Sturtevant, Lieut. 
J. W. Russell, and Comrade N. W. Mower. Followhig this 
beautiful hymn came the 

Tribute op Capt. C. P. Hall. 

The 19th of September, 1864, on this field, was a day never 
to be forgotten by those who participated in its exercises. 
The 19tli of September, 1883, will abide in our memories till 
time with us shall be no more. The former made the latter 
possible. Had it not been that brave men met brave men 
here nineteen years ago, there had befen no occasion for our 
standing here to-day with uncovered heads and swelling hearts 
to speak our tribute of words, and bring our tribute of flowers, 
for the dear comrades whose life went out 'mid the blood and 
carnage of that memorable day. 

We have stood, on Memorial Day, in the cemeteries of our 
home-land and done what we could to keep green the memory 
of those wlio gave their lives that the Nation might live. The 
service has been a hallowed one, and our hearts have been 
softened as year by year we have participated in it, but I think 
I speak the heart of all when I say there has been no service 
of memory to brave soldiers like this of to-day. 

We stand on Southern soil ; the bones of these dear ones 
moulder in the soil which their life-blood moistened ; we place 
upon their graves flowers plucked by fair Virginia hands be- 



58 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

side those brought from the gardens of our New Hampshire 
homes. 

We are not the only ones interested in this service. The 
hearts of fathers and mothers, of sisters and widowed ones 
among the granite hills are with us in this Valley to-day, and 
they bleed afresh as they think of our doing what they gladly 
would have done — stand here with flowers in our hands and 
tears in our eyes because loved forms lie buried 'neath this turf. 

Comrades, I need not say to you that the names on this 
shaft are those of noble men and true soldiers, for side by side 
with them we enlisted, we marched, we ate, we slept, we 
guarded, we fought. Honored be their memory ! Comrades 
of tlie blue and of the gray, may the deep feelings stirred 
witliin us at this hour beget an earnest purpose in us all, that 
Memorial Day for brave soldiers shall be a sacred day from 
lake to gulf and from ocean to ocean ! 

Tribute of Sergt. F. H. Buffum. 

In the town of Saybrook, Conn., there stands a mansion 
whose front door has been boarded up for many a year. Since 
the body of the renowned hero. Commodore Perry, was carried 
out to its burial, no man has passed through that door. When 
our comrades here buried stepped from the ranks of the Four- 
teenth regiment, nineteen years ago to-day, they passed through 
a door which was then and here sealed up forever. For, how- 
ever much of achievement may remain to us, however grandly 
we may strive to live, or whatever of lustre may rest upon 
our last hours on earth — we cannot liope to die as they died. 
They stepped into immortality over a path more illustrious 
than any Avhich our feet may find. Their dying, on the line 
where the noblest fall, on this field where not one of them 
died in vain, where blood was a sacrifice that prevailed — set 
them select and separate from us. 

But what was the magic of these acres, where we stood, 
and marched, and fought together, and where they died — 
what was there in the terrible conflict of that September day, 
to so divide us ? Because they fell and we marched on, were 
we set in wide and irreversible separation ? In this sweet and 





Hon. W. L. Clark, 
Mayor of Winchester. 




Capt. L. Richmond, 
Fourth Mass. Cavalry. 




Maj. Gen. W. H. Emory, 
Commander 19th Corps. 



O. H. Qui N BY, 
First Me. Battery 




Maj. C. H. Packard, 
Thirty Eij^hth Mass. 



.i£LlOTyPE PRINTING 00., BOSTON 



FELLOWSHIPS RESTORED. 59 

solemn presence, in tlie rush of tender memories bearing our 
thoughts back to those stalwart forms, now dust ])efore us, 
are not the ranks full again, as when we formed for the terrific 
charge on the plain yonder? May not the old fellowships be 
restored? Professor Tyndall, in experimenting with the res- 
onance of woods of different fibre, placed one end of the stick 
ui)on the piano and to the other he held his ear. When the 
keys of the piano were struck, the vibrations through the 
stick were faint and the result unsatisfactory. The experi- 
ment was a failure. A happy thought, and he placed a violin 
in contact with the other end of the stick ; then, when the 
keys were struck, the room was filled with sympathetic re- 
sponses from the stringed instrument. No civilian can catch 
the secret of this spot and hour ; but come you, my comrades, 
who touched elbows with these, our beloved, in the dread 
storm of battle and in the carnage of this field; let the keys 
of memory be struck, let the sweet harmonies from these gal- 
hmt lives be again evoked. The achievements and the vicis- 
situdes of the intervening years shall be the resonant conduc- 
tor. Bring our waiting souls to the touch ; yes, here and 
again their liv^es are potent, and ours respond. The martial 
and jDatriotic music which welled in them is our melody, and 
we are one in the great campaign. 

For myself I feel that I have been initiated into the mys- 
teries of this sacred ground. Three of those who lie here 
stood as close to me when shot as men can stand together ; 
two of them were of my own kin, and the other was my 
schoolmate and nearest neighbor. For this, and because of 
all the associations of this immortal battle-ground, ni}^ soul 
is thrilled as never before, with a throng of sacred and re- 
splendent memories ; resplendent because I remember more 
than the dying of these men. If we are again in sorrow for 
an almost incomparable loss, we are yet lifted up in an ecstasy 
of pride, for the mantle of their glory rests upon us. They 
fell in a day that was not lost ; they died on the victor's field, 
and they are remembered most tenderly. Something has been 
compared to '• a whiff of sombre smoke, dark and unreal as a 
memory of battle." We cannot adojDt the figure. Surely 



60 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

there are few things more radiant, there is nothing more real 
than the memories of battle which we revive as we encircle 
this monument to-day. All the years that have passed since 
we fought on this field are the unrealities to my mind, in this 
hour. I cannot at this moment feel that the armor lias ever 
been thrown off. 

If ever I was moved ; if ever the depths of emotion were 
fathomed ; if ever I was thankful to that merciful Providence 
which has spared my poor life ; thankful that I did not go 
down in war's dread carnage — that time is now. As I look 
in the faces of my old commanders [Generals Emory and 
Birge] standing here by my side ; as I am conscious of the 
supreme felicity as well as sorrow of this occasion, I feel that 
if there is grace on earth for human helpfulness I must go 
home from here a better man. 

We see the names of our fallen comrades all grouped in 
one mass upon this monument, but their identity is not lost. 
Out of a solution containing many colors certain lilies will 
extract their own congenial tints. So it is that out of the 
smoke and lurid onsets of the field of the Opequan, each of 
our dead carried his own individuality, and in this victory each 
faithful follower of his God and his flag achieved his own 
peculiar immortality. How little they could have anticipated 
this tribute ! If, in the martial prescience of that war, these 
our brothers could have spanned two decades, and caught a 
vision from this era of peace ; could they have heard in 
prophecy this tearful requiem tramp, — I am sure that their 
onset would have been bolder, their eye clearer, their devotion 
grander, and their welcome of the hazards of the fraj still 
more eager than they were. It is related of the composer, 
Haydn, that when, in the ripeness of his years, he listened to 
the performance of his own oratorio, " The Creation," by the 
finest talent that could be gathered in Europe, he was so over- 
come by the marvellous rendition that he was carried out to 
die. Were our dead of the Fourteenth regiment alive again ; 
were they to stand in these ranks, and behold how heroic 
deeds and worthy comrades are commemorated — it seems to 
me that this celebration of their grand endeavor and supreme 



POETIC TRIBUTE. Gl 

sacrifice would make tlieiii glad to die and eager to depart, 
transported upon the strange emotions and holy aspirations of 
this hour, unmatched in all our living. 

The quartette again rendered an approjuiate selection, and 
Chaplain Whittemore contributed the following original 

Poetic Tribute. 

God bless our patriot soldiers, 

The living and the dead, 
Who fought the nation's battles, 

And for the nation bled. 
Who, when their country called them 

In Freedom's holy cause. 
Went forth, as Sparta's sons went, 

" Obedient to her laws." 
We glory in their triumphs 

In fiercest contests won, 
Their loyal consecrations. 

Their deeds of valor done. 
Guard well our fallen heroes ! 

Strew flowers o'er their graves ! 
And may the white-winged angels 

Watch o'er our sleeping braves. 
God keep our mem'ries vernal. 

Embalm our heroes there ; 
May diadems supernal. 

The war-scarred victors wear. 
May monuments and tablets 

To coming ages tell 
Who fought our nation's battles, 

Who in those battles fell. 
May all our days memorial 

Revive their mem'ries grand. 
And grateful pix^ans ring out 

All o'er this favored land. 
And when the last old liero 

Shall fill a hero's grave, 
God bless the land he fought for, 

The laud he foui-ht to save. 



62 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Lieut. Hadley then stei^ped into the arena and called the 
roll of the dead. As he finished, amid a tearful and oppres- 
sive silence, Col. Wright advanced and halted in front of Gen. 
Emory. The military salute was given and the familiar report 
rendered: " Gen. Emory, all present or accounted for." The 
old hero advanced from the line with trembling steps and in 
still more trembling tones responded : — 

" You need no words of mine to add to the beauty and 
solemnity of this occasion. There remains nothing but to lay 
your flowers upon these graves. The dead whom you honor 
are indeed and well ' accounted for.' They died as nobly as men 
can die, and I am proud to have commanded them and you." 

When "the veterans kneeled around their dead of twenty 
years, the full tide of thought and feeling inspired by the 
occasion swayed the assemblage and moved it as few influences 
can. " I was never so moved in all my life." " Never before 
was I so near heaven as in that cemetery." " I did not sup- 
pose myself capable of such feeling." These were the testi- 
monies to the strange power of the occasion. The order was 
given to rise. 

Col. Wright then acknowledged the receipt of a beautiful 
and costly bouquet, and announced a further service in the 
cemetery where lay the Southern dead. The people of Win- 
chester had received no intimation of the intention of the 
Union veterans to decorate the monuments in the Confederate 
burial-ground. The line was re-formed and the remarkable pro- 
cession marched through the streets of Winchester and entered 
the yard where reposes the dust of those who faced them on 
many a hard-fought field. As the line of veterans encircled 
the magnificent Virginia monument a great crowd of citizens 
hastily gathered. " They 're marching into our cemetery," 
was flashed through the town. "What does it mean?" It 
means that the veterans of this party recognize and applaud 
and honor the splendid valor of the Southern soldier. It is 
no concession to a " cause," it is no yielding of a princij^le, nor 
any approval of what was once condemned. History has set- 
tled all that and no one of us would mantle such history as 
decked out in grandeur the flag they sustained. But no man 



THE SOUTHERN BRAVE. 63 

who fought such as sleep in the Southern cemetery at Win- 
chester but respects them and woukl pay grand homage to 
such soklierly qualities. Whatever they were they were 
Americans, and all America remembers their prowess. Again 
thfe dirge ; again the melting of hearts. The Chaplain's 
earnest prayer, and the moment is hallowed. Here, too, is an 
altar, and the sacrifice is ready ; the censer appears, and the 
incense of deep emotion fills the air with a marvellous per- 
fume. Col. Wright thus addresses the strange assemblage : — 

Comrades : — 

In the beautiful spirit of Him who came on earth more than 
eighteen hundred years ago, announced by the divine legend, 
" Peace on earth, good will to men," we come to this sacred 
spot. Here lie buried the unknown Confederate dead — the 
men we met on the field of Opequan — but they were brave 
men, and it is fitting and right that we should lay our floral 
tributes on their graves. We cannot come here with the same 
emotions which filled our souls to the brim as we stood over the 
graves of our own neighbors and comrades, but we can come 
with loyalty to noble lives, to brave and gallant soldiers, and 
with the prayer for peace on earth on our lips and in our hearts. 
If we cannot do this there is nothing in the religion of Christ 
which can attract us ; but we can do it, and do it gladly and 
proudly, and with our souls thrilled by the sentiments of this 
grand da}^ we can decorate the graves of the Confederate dead. 

No good deed, no right act, can have other results than 
evei'lasting good to the participant; so this assembling at this 
monument, this decoration of the graves of brave foes in bat- 
tle will make us better men, will send us back to our Northern 
homes with truer and nobler conceptions of duty, and with 
hearts quickened to a higher appreciation of the grand inspira- 
tion which comes from peace and forgiveness and love. If 
these words find an echo in your hearts, comrades, kneel ! 

Two comrades were detailed to decorate the Confederate 
monument, and then the other comrades advanced and laid 
their floral tributes upon the base of the Virginia monument. 



64 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

The column then re-formed and the line of march was to the 
camp. The following is the comment of the Winchester 
Times : — 

" The beautiful tribute paid to the eight hundred Confed- 
erate dead that lie buried beneath the mound, by those New 
England men, will live in song and story for ages to come. 
The solemn words offered up in prayer by Chaplain Whitte- 
more of the Thirtieth Massachusetts, the responsive amen at 
its close that came from the lips of all, the eloquent words 
spoken by Col. Carroll D. Wright of the Fourteenth New 
Hampshire, in testimony of tlie valor of those who laid down 
their lives in defence of a principle that they thought was 
right, and then, when on bended knees around that mound- 
these two hundred brave men of New England fell with bowed 
and uncovered heads, was completed a scene that will never 
be forgotten by those who were present." 

And this from Carleton's vivid and characteristic pen : — 

" Reaching the cemeterj^ in advance of the veterans I found 
a man advanced in years, poorly clad, leaning against the mon- 
ument, who said : ' Some of your folks burned my house nine- 
teen years ago, and made me, my wife and children homeless, 
but I must say that I could not keep back the tears just now 
when I saw your folks kneel and lay their flowers on the 
graves.' ' The veterans are coming this way,' 1 replied, ' and 
are going to decorate this monument.' ' What ! ' ' They are 
ofoincr to decorate the monument to the unknown Confed- 
erate dead, and also the monument erected by the State of 
Virginia.' ' They are ? ' ' Yes, sir.' His hand went up quick 
to his eyes, there was a convulsive movement in hfe throat, a 
heaving of the heart. He turned away to hide his emotion. 

" The solemn music was coming nearer, accompanied by the 
measured steps of the veterans and by the irregular tramping 
of a large portion of those who had witnessed the ceremonies 
in the Union cemetery. I looked from the inner to the outer 
cii'cle, to read if possible the emotions that might be playing 
upon the faces of those who through the long years have 



A BRILLIANT CAMP-FIRE. 65 

mourned fora cause irretrievably lost. Tliero were hard faces ; 
tliere were faces furrowed by time ; faces that had been set like 
a Hint against all reconciliation ; but at this moment they were 
dazed, Avondering, astonished faces. The hated Yankee of old 
decorating graves of Confederate dead ! Was it possible ? 
Were their eyes deceiving them ? Tears rolled down their 
cheeks. If I read aright, men and women who through the 
years have been nursing their pride, who have in their hearts 
refused to accept the results of the war, went out from that 
cemetery with new emotions. ' You have indeed conquered 
us,' was the remark of a Virginian this evening." 

A CAMP-FIRE. 

The contrasts of this trip were most effective. Another 
phase was needed in the exercises of the ever-memorable 19th 
of September. The evening brought it. The writer had the 
best of evidence that the artillery on the field of the Opequan 
was exceedingly effective nineteen years ago. He has some 
scraps of reasons for asserting that artillery service in the Val- 
ley has wonderfully deteriorated since peace put her tompions 
into now harmless muzzles. We were to have an imposing 
salute on the evening of the 19th. We did not have it. " It 's 
of no consequence,' yet we will explain. The First Massa- 
chusetts veteran battery, by its president, had agreed to lire 
the salute on the Union side. As a matter of fact we believe 
that not one member of that battery appears in the excursion 
roster. Another consideration may be recalled. The guns as 
furnished were unfit to use and the lifty cartridges were defec- 
tive. The salute was not iired — that night. Since the return 
of the excursion a rumor has been started that the Thirty- 
Eighth Massachusetts fooled over those guns the iiext night at 
their camp-fire, but no one is willing to vouch for the truth of 
the report — of the cannon. One man indeed declares that 
he stood some ten rods away from the guns and during the 
evening heard one of them go off. But this man is a near 
relative of Eli Perkins. 

The camp-lire committee of the Fourteenth consisted of 



Q6 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

F. H. Buffiim, Col. C. D. Wright, Maj. F. L. Tolman, Capt. C. 
W. Hodgdon and Capt. J. W. Sturtevant. Col. Wright was 
a sub-committee on the reception of visitors ; Maj. Tolman, on 
salute and the literal camp-fire ; Capt. Hodgdon on the py- 
rotechnic display and Capt. Sturtevant on illumination. Long- 
before dark the crowds thronged into camp. Nearly a hundred 
Japanese lanterns adorned the tents and diverged from the flag- 
staff like spokes from a hub. The robust Major had three full 
cords of highly imflammable wood all ready for the bonfire. 
The large covered rostrum was profusely decorated in excel- 
lent taste with a variety of buntings, flags, mottos, etc. At 
the top appeared on the different sides, in large lettering, the 
names " Sheridan," " Emory," " Grover," " Birge," while on the 
front of the railing, beautifully set in appropriate draping of 
flags, was a white banner with the one Avord " Peace " upon it. 
The exquisite decoration of the platform was much admired. 
This was designed by Dr. E. D. Stickney, who was one of the 
efficiently helpful members of the excursion, and who, with 
Lieut. E. D. Hadley, did nearly all of the platform adorning. 

As twilight settled into the deeper darkness the Union Band 
mounted the rostrum and gave a half-hour's concert. Hun- 
dreds of little flags fluttered through the crowd and thousands 
more were called for. The committee had not anticipated 
such a concourse. On one side of those flags was printed 
the programme of the evening. The following was the saluta- 
tion upon the programme : — 

"The Veterans of the Fourteenth Regiment tender these 
exercises to their comrades who wore the blue, and to their 
former foes who wore the gray, in the spirit of those who respect 
brave soldiers, whether as allies or opponents, and in recog- 
nition of the truth that those who met on this field nineteen 
years ago as enemies, to-night rally to one call and under one 
flag." 

The band was still playing; it was growing dark but the 
moon had entered the arena in "full" force ; the platform was 
the centre of attraction. Capt. Hodgdon got his pyrotechnic 
detail in order ; he adjusted his first rocket, while two or three 
inquisitive negroes thrust their noses under the fuse — they 



PYROTECHNIC DISPLAY. G7 

had never seen a rocket, and in less than one half-niinvitc tliej 
never wanted to see another. Fiz-z-z — flash-r-r-r — hoom, and 
the splendid two-pound rocket was seven hundred feet above 
the gay, illuminated camp, and those darkeys had' got over an 
amazing distance in the same brief space. They were in the 
air and in the dirt, in jump, summersault and sprawl, mixed 
in wild gymnastic confusion. They will never smell of another 
fireworks fuse just as the match is being applied. From a dis- 
tance on each side of the camp two trails of variegated fire 
crept heavenward and crossed in the zenith, and then the fun 
began. The Captain was rousing enthusiasm by his brilliant 
pyrotechnic disphi}'', and for nearly three hours every part of 
the parade-ground was lit up by colored fires, while a constant 
fire of rockets and Roman candles encircled the camp. The 
wondering crowd -had never beheld such a demonstration. 
They were excellent. Not one missed. The generosity and 
skill of Prof. M. J. Blank should here receive recognition, for 
the success of the whole display, with the exception of the 
magnificent set-piece, was due to his faithful service in prepar- 
ing the large and costly collection of fireworks. Prof. Blank 
is a skilled analytical chemist and he is well known in this 
country and in Europe. He took a great interest in the 
excursion, and kindly consented to find time, in the midst of 
his pressing duties, to manufacture the pyrotechnics for this 
camp-fire. 

At eight o'clock the speaking began. The chairman of the 
committee, in opening this portion of the exercises, said : — 

" Again the Yank and the Johnny meet face to face. 
We 'uns are ready for a trade. On our side of the line there 
is a little of that pure chicory coffee left, and if you 'uns have 
a plug or two of the genuine Richmond tobacco in your haver- 
sacks you can toss it over. We met you with some spirit 
nineteen years ago; we meet you with equal zest and more of 
pleasure on this anniversary day. You gave us a warm recep- 
tion on this ver}' ground in 1864. From this very rod of 
ground where I now speak you fired into the Fourteenth regi- 
ment such volleys as sent us scattered to the other side of this 
battle-field. We greet 3-ou to-night in the midst of marvellous 



68 SHERTDAN'S VETERANS. 

transformations. We speak together from the same platform. 
We need not tread daintily to-night ; we are not walking upon 
eggs. As soldiers who understand each other we can speak 
our minds without treading upon forbidden ground. I trust 
that in the speaking to-night no Union soldier will let down 
an iota from the standard of his principles, and I should, 
indeed, be ashamed of an}^ of our Southern friends who felt 
it necessary to stand upon this platform and apologize for sup- 
porting the Confederacy. This is not to be a campaign of 
gush and disingenuous compliments. The contending forces 
of this and nearly three thousand battle-fields of the great 
war performed a signal service for mankind. It is said that 
our forefathers builded better tlian they knew. I am sure 
that the Northern and the Southern soldiery accomplished 
results far nobler than any conception of duty or aspiration 
which entered into that heroism which the world concedes and 
admires to-day. I would sum it up by declaring that the 
armies of the Union and the Confederacy fought the country, 
now indissoluble forever, on to a higher plane, and well advanced 
the civilization of our age and of every race. Let us meet, 
then, and fraternize to-night as soldiers meet who have tested 
their opponents' mettle and have learned to respect men who 
will figlit with all their powers for convictions in front of 
which they put their lives." 

The chairman then introduced Lieut. E. D. Hadley, as one 
who had fallen, wounded, ahead of his line. Lieut. Hadley 
referred to the novel pleasures of the occasion, and brought 
up reminiscences of the past. 

Capt. J. W. Sturtevant was presented as the veteran who 
commanded the skirmish line of the regiment nineteen j^ears 
ago. Captain Sturtevant said : — 

Comrades^ Ladies and Gentlemen : — 

The introduction of your chairman will suggest to the com- 
rades the most important duty of men on the skirmish line — 
to keep out of sight and well covered. Had I consulted jny 
own wishes, I should have remained a listener rather than a 
speaker this evening. I am happy, however, for the occasion 



PLEASANT MEMORIES. 69 

to say how much I am enjoying tliis excursion, and how grate- 
ful 1 am sure we all are for these unexpected sources of pleas- 
ure which have so largely increased our enjoyment. When 
this excursion Avas first suggested I welcomed it as an oppor- 
tunity to revisit the scenes of the campaign of 1864. To have 
looked again on the towns and cities through which we 
marched nineteen years ago, to have gazed again on the blue 
hills that enclose this beautiful Valley, to have visited again 
the old camps, picket-posts and battle-fields, and the graves of 
our dead comrades, would have been a pleasure never to have 
been forgotten ; but, added to all this, has been a reception 
and welcome by those who met us as foes nineteen years ago, 
so hearty and genuine that we find ourselves wondering, when 
we see so little change in the natural objects that surround us, 
if such a change is possible in the hearts of those who once 
met us with equal warmth, but in a far different spirit. I am 
sure I voice the sentiment of all when I say that we thank 
the citizens of this Valley for their cordial and generous 
reception, and rejoice in the opportunity for a better acquaint- 
ance with each other, believing that this visit will be a mutual 
benefit to us, and that the memories of this excursion will be 
among the pleasantest of our lives. 

Capt. C. P. Hall was introduced, and spoke as folloAvs : — 

" It has fallen to me to speak of the part taken by our regi- 
ment in the action which we commemorate to-day. The events 
of the early part of the day — the breaking camp, the liurried 
march, the excited crossing of the Opequan, the hastening up 
the pike past the newly-arranged hospital, where the knife of 
the surgeon was supplementing the work of the enemy's bul- 
lets, and the filing out to the right into position behind yonder 
belt of woods — we shared in common with tlie rest of our 
brigade. Our skirmish-line immediately deployed under Lieut. 
Sturtevant, pushed forward through the belt of woods and 
extended their right to Red Bud Run, a little behind the stone 
house yonder. After a waiting of about half-an-hour the 
whole line advanced and we passed on across the open s])ace, 



70 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

now grown up to underbrush, to the narrow belt of wood just 
occupied b}' the enemy, through the Av^ood, where the stumps 
are to-day, and the ravine to the ridge now occupied by the 
cannon yonder. A section of Fitz Lee's battery stationed this 
side of the Hackwood barn, and another on the ridge bej^ond 
Red Bud, together with the sharpshooters on the barn had cut 
us up terribly. The order now came to fall back. My com- 
pany, C, was the color company, and as we turned I looked 
down the line to the left and found that there were no colors 
out of the wood except those of the Twenty-sixth Massachu- 
setts. I supposed that we were to re-form our line in the 
wood and said to the Color-Sergeant, Howard, "Plant your 
flag here." Some one said, " They are retreating. Captain," 
and I turned and found it true. I then said, " Boys, take 
care of yourselves.'' By this time the ground where the fence 
runs beyond the camp was gray with the Confederates, who 
were calling out " Halt, you Yanks, surrender ! " But we had 
heard of the Southern boarding-houses for Yankee soldiers, 
and kept on our retreat. As I came out of the next belt of 
woods I Avas met by a staff-officer, who told me to stop the 
men of the Fourteenth and re-form the regiment. After we 
had rallied about thirty-five men we were put with squads of 
other regiments to re-form our old brigade. We then moved 
out into a ravine for protection from the flying shells, where 
we waited till about three o'clock, when the line advanced 
a^ain. This time we moved across a little to the south of 
where we now are, and a few rods beyond met our color-guard 
with the colors. They were separated from us during the 
retreat and had been with the Eighth Vermont regiment. The 
fighting was now well nigh over and we soon, with the advanc- 
ing lines, passed Winchester and camped in the Valley half a 
mile to the southeast of the town. This battle was our bap- 
tism of fire, and it was a fearful one. Our loss in killed and 
m'ortally wounded was fifty-three ; our wounded ninety. Of 
the twenty officers who went into the action, only seven 
escaped unharmed. Because we had not earlier met the foe 
upon the field of battle we had been called the " Baby Regi- 
ment," but the events of that dav had shown us men, entitled 



VIRGINIA AND RHODE IS I AND. 71 

to stand side by side with the bravest of those who wore the 
blue or the gray. 0;ir motlier State speaks her api)reciati()ii 
of the heroism of our boys through the mouument iu yonder 
cemetery. Having fought thus upon tliis lieUl nineteen sum- 
mers ago, we return in our manhood's maturity to have our 
love-feast here to-day with those who with us made that day's 
work victorious, and with warm hearts to welcoine those whose 
bravery made the victory worth the winning." 

Gen. H. W. Birge, the efficient and brave commander of 
the brigade in which the Fourteenth regiment served in the 
Valley, was next introduced, and made a most complimentary 
sjDcech, praising the troops he commanded and referring to the 
great pleasure he had experienced in renewing the friendships 
of the war. He referred to the Fourteenth as one of the best 
regiments he had known during his entire service. 

Gen. E. H. Rhodes, the commander of the Khode Island 
militia, and Colonel of the Second Rhode Island in the Rebel- 
lion, was the next speaker. Gen. Rhodes said : — 

Comrades : — 

On this anniversary night I am glad to be here to rejoice 
with you in a re-united country. I will not discuss the late 
war, or the questions that arose iroxn that terrible conflict, 
but with you will give thanks tliat despair has given place to 
hope, and that the angel of peace is hovering with outstretched 
hands over our land, scattering the blessings that only peace 
can bring. Allusion has been made to my native State as the 
" Little State." While we, its citizens, are not responsible for 
its limited area, we are proud of the energy and enterprise 
of its people, that have placed it in the front rank of our 
manufacturing communities. But great as are its industrial 
interests, greater still is it in the warm hearts that throb with 
a love for our common country and regard for the citizens of 
every State. Virginia and Rhode Island have an inseparable 
history. If Virginia gave a AVashington to lead the armies of 
our fathers to victory, Rhode Island claims the second place, 
and high on the roll of fame would write the namp of 



72 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Nathaniel Greene. And so to-night Rhode Island extends to 
A^irginia the cordial hand of fellowship. We come to you as 
Union soldiers, not to exult over victories won, but to view 
again in our maturer years the scenes that were so familiar in 
days gone by. And as I speak I would not forget that gallant 
organization that I have the good fortune to represent to-night, 
the old Sixth Corps. As the crusaders of old followed the 
banner with the cross, so our corps followed its emblem, the 
cross, and it ever proved to be an incentive to duty. The 
corps had waded through -seas of blood before entering this 
beautiful Valley, and had furnished army and corps command- 
ers of distinction. We boasted of our Sedgwick, Franklin, 
Slocum, Smith, Couch, Newton, and last but not least the gal- 
lant Wright. But, after all, no words of praise heard in the 
past have sounded so sweet to my ears as the kindly expres- 
sions made use of by the people of this Valley when speaking 
of the old corps whose flag was almost as well known to them 
as the sun itself. It was my fortune" to command a part 
of the garrison of Winchester immediately after the battle of 
September 19, and I have been extremely gratified to meet so 
many who remember my old regiment, the Second Rhode 
Island Infantr}^ with a kindly interest. We come to you, not 
forgetting the past, — and why should we ? Why should you 
and I blot from the tablets of our minds the memories of past 
trials, hardships and dangers ? Let us trust that these mem- 
ories will serve to strengthen our love of manl}^ deeds in peace 
as well as in war, that they will serve to bind more closely the 
ties that unite us as a Nation, and give us a renewed love of 
that liberty bequeathed by our fathers. 

Mark Twain tells this story : "Some adventurous miners 
climbed to the summit of Mount Davidson and to a tall mast 
nailed the American flag. On one summer afternoon in 1863 
a sudden storm arose, and the dark clouds hovering over the 
mountain-top obscured the flag from view. Suddenly, in a rift 
in the clouds, the flag was seen as in a setting of gold, while 
the declining sun, gilding the hill-tops, threw a halo of light 
around its starry folds. The people gazed in awe upon the 
strange scene, and mau}^ predicted good news to come. That 




FROM BOLIVAR HEIGHTS. 



CAPT. WILLIAMS' SPEECH. 73 

night the flashing wires carried to tlie far Pacific slope the 
news of Vicksburg's fall and Gettysburg won." 

Only one section of our country rejoiced in this scene, but 
to-night we of the North, the Scnitli, tlie East and the West 
can look up and see the old Hag far above the din and smoke 
of the battle, glorified and transfigured by the sun of peace ; 
and, with reverent hearts, we unite in thanks to the God of 
Nations that we have, now and forever, " One country and 
one flag." 

At the conclusion of Gen. Rhodes' speech there was an 
intermission in the speaking, and the entertainment was varied 
by the introduction of ten colored " artists," who roused the 
mirth of the audience by their old plantation oddities and 
" breakdown " performances. During the evening tlie Four- 
teenth entertained the invited guests with refreshments in 
the dining-tent. The fine and costly coftee reservoir presented 
to Sheridan's Veterans by the Gushing Process Company, of 
Boston, attracted much attention and was liberall}^ patronized. 
After further music by the band — " John Brown " and 
"Dixie" sounding well together — Col. Wright was intro- 
duced, who presented a representative of the Confederate 
soldiery, Capt. J. J. Williams, a lawyer of Winchester and a 
gentleman who became very popular with the party. 

Capt. Williams expressed his regret that from natural ina- 
bility and short notice he was not better able to represent 
Avorthily the Confederate soldiers, of whom he was an humble 
member, on this auspicious occasion ; one doing, and likely to 
do, so mucli for the welfare of our country. As to the past, 
he had no apologies to make nor to ask ; as to the present and 
future, he was ready and willing to strike hands and march, 
shoulder to shoulder, with any one having sincerely at heart 
the welfare of this country and its people. No good and great 
work was ever done in a day, but by process upon process, 
development upon development ; and the good done by this 
visit, and especially by its crowning incident, the chivalric act 
of the New England veterans, in decorating the graves of the 
Confederate dead, might not a])]>ear to-day, or to-morrow, or 



74 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

next week, but was good seed sown that would yet bear har-^ 
vest to gladden the fields of earth with smiling plenty, and 
finally to be gathered into the garners of heaven. 

Col. Wright then presented Alderman Riley, of the Win- 
chester city government, an ex-Confederate. Whether or not 
he is a " reconstructed Rebel " we will not affirm, but he cer- 
tainly reconstructed the map of the United States in his witty 
and felicitous speech. Better than most of us he knew how 
many States there were in the present Union. 

The chairman next presented a gentleman who had been in 
forty battles of the great war, but had never been a soldier; 
a man whose pseudonym was a household word during the 
war. Charles Carleton Coffin spoke as follows : — 

" Upon what historic page is there to be found a record 
of such a scene as this? Nineteen years ago a great battle was 
fought upon this historic field. Tlie setting sun of the 19th of 
September, 1864, looked down upon a field drenched in blood. 
All over these fair lands were the wounded and d3'ing ; but 
to-night the men who then stood face to face in deadly conflict 
meet as brothers, as citizens of one country, with all bitter- 
ness of the past forgotten. When we turn to the great civil 
wars of other nations we find the bitterness outlasting genera- 
tions. In the struggle between the king and parliament in 
England, the hatred remained long after the second- Charles 
came to the throne. Even now, though two hundred and fifty 
years have rolled away, though England has become a govern- 
ment of the people, the aristocracy will not recognize the 
greatness of the man who led the parliamentary troops to vic- 
tory, and who made Great Britain a power among the nations. 
How difierent here ! To-night men who wore the blue, men 
who wore the gray, meet upon this spot where nineteen years 
ago the fight was most fierce, to talk over the scenes of the 
past, each recognizing the valor of his opponent, each glorying 
in the thought that he is still a citizen of Ameiica. 

"It is sometimes said that a wise diplomacy might have settled 
the questions between the Northern and Southern sections of 
the country, but I do not think it, for the struggle was a con- 



COL. PORTER'S SPEECH. 76 

flict of ideas and institutions, — ideas wliicli liad their origin 
far back in the centuries, trans[)hinted to this country from 
beyond the Atlantic to take root and llourish in the soil of the 
Western world, to strengthen with the years. The men of 
the North and the men of the South were equally sincere ; 
both fought for what they believed to be right. Not for con- 
quest, not for fame, but for what they believed to be right, 
the soldiers of the different sections endured the hardships, 
— the weary march, the bivouac, the heats of summer, the cold 
of winter, sickness, absence from home and friends and all 
things dear, the turmoil, uproar and dangers of battle. 

" Recognizing this, we meet here to-night as brotliers. Nine- 
teen years ago, war with all its horrors ; to-night the beauty 
of peace ; all bitterness and hate forever buried in the graves 
where we have laid those who yielded their lives for the ideas 
which gave valor to their arms in the mighty struggle. It was 
fitting that you who won the victory, after the memorial ser- 
vice this afternoon upon the spot where your comrades sleep, 
should also lay your garlands upon the graves of the unknown 
Confederate dead, — thus manifesting your appreciation, not 
alone of their valor upon the field, but of their devotion to 
what they believed to be right. 

" It is fitting, then, to-night, that the camp-fire should blaze 
upon this historic spot, that rockets should cleave the air, that 
the night should be luminous with many-colored fires, that 
old-time stories should be told, old-time songs should be sung, 
that there should be the warm grasp of the hands after such 
kindly greetings and such generous hospitality as the people 
of Winchester have displayed, for henceforth one fiag is to 
float above us, we are brothers ever more, — citizens of the 
United States, solicitous only for its welfare, prosperity and 
peace." 

Again the darkeys mount the rostrum, and again the great 
crowd, especially the Northerners, are delighted with planta- 
tion antics. Next that stern old fighter, genial comrade, and 
champion story-teller. Col. T. W. Porter, is introduced. 
Amono- other things Col. Porter said : — 



T6 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Mr. President, Comrades, and Fellow Citizens of the Shenan- 
doah : — 

When this excursion was announced by its projectors, I felt 
great interest in revisiting your Valley, to ascertain by obser- 
vation how it would actually compare, when viewed in calm 
and quiet, with what my memory of it as viewed in the stirring 
scenes of war had painted it. And I desire to state, without 
exaggeration or flattery, tliat on this revisiting, my most cher- 
ished recollections are more than realized ; and that when I 
consider the stately, varied and beautiful scenery, the fertility 
of the soil, the value of the timber and the splendor of its 
foliage, the delicious and bountiful supply of water, the desir- 
ability of the climate, and, lastly, the variety and perfection of 
your agricultviral productions, this historic Valley is, as I have 
always asserted since first knowing it, worthily entitled to be 
called the garden of America. 

Since my arrival here I have carefully gone over, again and 
again, this once sanguinary field, on which we are now so peace- 
fully encamped ; and I have traced with care, and I believe 
with accuracy, the various positions occupied by my own 
immediate command, and have identified many of the spots 
where well-remembered and brave comrades laid down the 
contest of life forever. And I have recalled, in all its aspects, 
that blood-red day of nineteen years ago. But in this mental 
review no hostile bitterness has mingled, for time assuages 
all strife, and we now meet as brothers, luiving a com- 
mon country, a common flag, and a common purpose ; and I 
know, from the reception which you have given us, as well as 
from my own emotions, that it is with mutual pleasure that 
we now mingle together in peace and good will. I have 
also visited the Union and Confederate cemeteries in the town 
of Winchester, and taken part in the memorial exercises Avhich 
we held therein, and in common with my comrades I most 
willingly bowed my knee in recognition of the bravery of 
your dead, who in the days of deadly conflict were our oppos- 
ing foes ; for it is ever becoming to bear due tribute to the 
heroism of a fallen foe, who gives liis life in defence of what 
he sincerely believes to be right. And I desire to say here, as 



A MODEL MONUMENT. 77 

I have orteii said siiu'c the war, that while the standpoint of 
the Southern soklier was all wrong, yet 1 believe that he 
believed it to be all right. And why should lie not? for almost 
the entire South asserted their cause to be just and right for 
long years before the war, and until hostilities forced a final 
taking of sides upon the disturbing questions. A large part 
of the pulpit, the press, and the politicians of the North were 
actively engaged in defending just what the Southern soldier 
fought for. 

Further, I desire to congratulate you \^\^^n\ the soimd sense, 
good taste and excellent judgment that you have displayed in 
selecting the style of monument that stands above your mili- 
tary dead, for it truthfully represents, in the armed figure that 
surmounts it, a Confederate soldier, just as he appeared, and 
as we all saw him, knew him, and remember him in the days 
of armed conflict : one of those determined fighters, who, when 
occasion required, was ready and willing to turn out at two 
o'clock in the morning and fight the devil himself, if he 
opposed him. This true representation of your plain, un- 
adorned soldier is in striking contrast to all the attempted 
representations of a Union soldier, on so-called " soldiers' 
monuments," that I have ever seen in the North, and I have 
seen many ; for they are true to nothing that went to make up 
a Union soldier ; neither his uniform, his arms, e(|uipments, 
accoutrements, or position, all of which are false to the facts — 
and the future painter and sculptor who seeks a true repre- 
sentative of our mightv army will have to look elsewhere than 
in our monumental misrepresentations. And this unpleasant 
failure is, no doubt, due to the fact that these so-called mon- 
uments have been raised under the control of that ubiquitous 
committee who have no doubt of their ability being equal to 
the undertaking, because they have no practical knowledge 
whatever of the same. 

And now, in conclusion, I desire to state that in what I 
have said, and what I may state, I assume to represent no one 
but myself, for I am here as the sole representative of a regi- 
ment, which, at the close of its three years' service had, out of 
fifteen hundred men, but one hundred and sixty-live rilles in 



78 SHERIDAN'S VETERAN'S. 

line for duty ; and I have to say that, as the hite Confederate 
States are now annihihxted by the valor of the Union arms, 
and it is our duty ahvays to care for those in need and want, 
therefore I am most heartily in favor of that sentiment recently 
enunciated at a re-union of a regiment of my native State, 
that the general government should provide good homes for 
the enfeebled and decrepit Confederate soldiers ; and 1 shall, 
at all possible times, give my voice and vote in favor of our 
government's assuming and caring for the burial-places of the 
Confederate dead, for they represent American valor as cer- 
tainly as if they had fought upon the right side, — and the 
grave of a brave and sincere, though mistaken man, should 
not suffer neglect ; and not long hence there will be none to 
care for these graves, unless the government shall, and, while 
honoring and guarding the graves of its own dead, who con- 
quered the bravest army that ever yet laid down its arms by 
surrender, it may and can most properly care for the graves of 
those who sleep peacefully by their side, and who displayed 
the bravery of their race." 

One of the enjoyable treats of the evening was the recita- 
tion of " The Dandy Fifth," by the accomplished elocutionist, 
Dr. E. D. Stickney. 

It was growing late. For nearly three hours the exercises 
had gone on with no intermission. The jDrogramme contem- 
plated two hours more, but, upon consultation, the committee 
decided to stop in the midst rather than at the end of success. 
Wliile the band was wonderfully mixing up Northern and 
Southern melodies, the grand finale appeared. With a brilliant 
flash, at the farther end of the parade-ground, in great letters 
of manj^-colored fires, the name of Sheridan burst forth, in 
the midst of a brilliant pyrotechnic shower. The whole was 
surrounded by a magnificent fiery wreath. With a shout and 
a rush the great throng surged toward the new attraction. 
It Avas, indeed, a fine specimen of the pyrotechnic art, manu- 
factured by Masten & Wells of Boston. Toward the procure- 
ment of this display. Col. Herbert E. Hill, a personal friend of 
General Sheridan, and enthusiastically interested in the excur- 



VARIOUS DIVERSIONS. 79 

sion, made a liberal coiitrihntioii. " This is the finest (lis])lay 
of lireworks ever shown in the Valley," remarked a eitizen of 
Winchester. 

Tlie wood was piled high upon the fire; the colored fires 
were set about the camp, magic hues being reflected from tree 
and canvas; more candles with gleaming balls, more screech- 
ing rockets ; a satisfied, jolly crowd, loth to leave ; another 
hour of pleasant chat and widening fellowship; music that 
seemed to play "We won't go home till morning;" midnight 
and a vanishing throng — the camp-fire of the Fourteenth Kew 
Hampshire on the battle-field of the Opecj^uan was finished. 

By general consent the original programme was changed so 
as to omit the camping on the battle-fields of Cedar Creek and 
Fishers Hill. The immense labor and considerable discomfort 
attending frequent change of camp were recognized by every 
one of the company, and the excursion manager provided a spe- 
cial train to convey the party to Fishers Hill and Cedar Creek. 
Thursday had no programme, and afforded a pleasant relief, 
as the excursion broke up into little groups and companies 
which scattered in every direction, in saunterings, excursions, 
and the survey of the battle-field. The tracing of the course 
of the battle was done systematically by many of the comrades, 
carefully prepared charts of the field and compasses being used. 
Although the topography of the great field has greatly changed 
to the eye by the disappearance of the forests, most of the 
regiments were enabled to trace their positions and progress 
through the fight Avith considerable exactness. The relic- 
hunters were happ}-, and several acres of ploughed field were 
poked over and well harrow ed by Yankee toes in search of 
bullets. Some of the trips made will not sopn be forgotten. 
One of the enjoyable ones was the carriage and horseback 
ride over the Berryville pike, through the willows along the 
banks of Abraham's Creek, across the ford of the Opequan, 
past antiquated toll-gates, under the foliage of the tree where 
Moseby hung three Union officers in retaliation, through 
the village of Berryville, and away into the rifle-pits of Sheri- 
dan's position when Grant told him to "go in." The Major 



80 SHERIBAN'S VETERANS. 

will tell 5^ou how he did n't dare to get on horseback during 
that ride, and the Captain can tell you of his exploit under 
the big willow, where he demonstrated how quickly and grace- 
fully a man can sprawl when the conditions are favorable. 

CAMP-FIRE OF THE THIRTY-EIGHTH 
MASSACHUSETTS. 

On the evening of the 20th, according to the programme, 
the Thirty-eighth Massachusetts gave a camp-fire. The com- 
mittee in charge consisted of G. W. Powers, C. F. Shaw, 
F. M. Flynn, A. M. Lunt, and J. P. DeLacy. The following 
account of this camp-fire is furnished by the chairman of the 
committee : — 

The brilliant success of the camp-fire of the Fourteenth 
New Hampshire somewhat dazed the committee of the Thirty- 
eighth, who had come prepared for no such display. But they 
soon rallied, and without making any attempt to compete with 
the Granite State veterans, resolved to do their best for the 
honor of the old regiment, and for the general success of the 
excursion. Not a rocket arose in the air, but in the centre of 
the camp five cords of wood and a barrel of tar, provided by 
Col. Austin C. Wellington, made a bonfire which illuminated 
the grounds, warmed up the hearts as well as the faces of the 
veterans in blue and gray, and afforded infinite delight to 
the colored folks who flocked to the camp. In addition 
to the names of the Union officers which decorated the 
stand, the names of prominent Confederates were added as a 
tribute to the manly welcome extended the party by the vete- 
rans of Lee and Stonewall Jackson. The Winchester Band 
was engaged to furnish music, and arrangements made to fire 
a salute from the surviving guns of an old battery, manned 
by Union and Confederate artillerists. " Camp Lynn " en- 
larged its borders by adding an additional tent, in which 
refreshing lemonade was dispensed by Comrade Frank M. 
Flynn of the committee, and refreshments of another kind by 
comrades whose early education had been unfortunately neg- 
lected. Both departments were liberally patronized by the 



THIRTY-EIGHTH CAMP-FIRE. 81 

assembl}-, but wlih that chivaliy that always characterizes 
true sohliers, the "vets" of each of the old armies generousl}'' 
refrained from appropriating the beverage provided more 
especial!}' for the ladies and the citizens. With all the hilarity 
and good-fellowship, not an unpleasant incident resulted I'rom 
this side-scene. * 

After an opening piece from the band, and a modest salute 
from the cannon. President Tarbell, of the Thirty-eighth Asso- 
ciation, opened the exercises at the platform by welcoming, 
in a few appropriate words, the great crowd which had 
gathered, and introduced Comrade George W. Powers, chair- 
man of the camp-fire committee, as the presiding officer of the 
evening. 

The first speaker introduced was Major E. L. Noyes, of the 
Third Massachusetts Cavalry, who gave a graphic and inter- 
esting account of the part taken by his regiment in the Valley 
campaign. " The Third Cavalry," said the Major, " lost more 
men in proportion to the number in active service than any 
other Massachusetts Cavalry regiment, as can be proved by 
the official record, and it was one of the last regiments to 
be mustered out." The speaker then proceeded in more gen- 
eral terras to express the good will of the North to the South, 
and especially the fraternal feelings existing between the 
men who had backed up their opinions by taking arras to 
defend them, and concluded his speech by manly words in 
harmony with the general good feeling. 

The quartette, composed of Miss Anna V. Shaw, Mis. M. 
S. Bullock, Lieut. C. F. Shaw, of the Thirty-eighth, and Drum- 
Major R. S. Ripley, of the Thirtieth, then sung, to the tune of 
" Tenting on the Old Camp-Ground," the following song, 
written for the occasion by Comrade George W. Powers. 

We are tenting to-niglit on the old camp-ground, 

Which memory holds so clear, 
No anxious fears within our hearts 

For those we love so dear, 
cnouus. 
Many are the eyes that are reading to-night 

Tl)e words of right good cheer, 



82 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Many are the hearts rejoicing to-night 
Those tidings glad to hear. 

We are tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, 

No picket-lines thrown out, 
With perfect trust in Southern hearts 

That circle us about. 

We are tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, 

The mingling Gray and Blue, 
All bitter memories laid to rest 

In graves of comrades true. 

We are tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, 

One flag above us all, 
May that old starry banner bright 

The fathers' deeds recall. 

We are tenting to-night on the old camp-ground, 

One country now and ever ; 
No civil war, no foreign foe, 

Shall e'er our nation sever. 

The fine singing of tlie quartette was loudly applauded by 
the audience, and an encore demanded. 

Lieut. Geo. A. Reed, of the Twentj'^-sixth Massachusetts, next 
made a humorous speech, in which he complimented the South- 
ern ladies very prettily, and said that nothing but the fact that 
he was already as much married as the laws allow would pre- 
vent him from laying down his arms and unconditionally sur- 
rendering to some one of the fair daughters of the Valley; and 
being a railroad man, who travelled with his eyes open, the 
gallant lieutenant professed to know whereof he was speaking. 

After these Union sentiments the audience had the pleasure 
of listening to an eloquent and patriotic address from Major 
Robert W. Hunter of Winchester, who had been Adjutant- 
General on Gen. Gordon's staff. Major Hunter said he had 
visited the North several times since the war, and testified to 
the fraternal greetings which he had everywhere received 
from the old Union soldiers. The questions that had divided 
the sections had been settled forever by the decision of the 



SOUTHERN ELOQUENCE. 83 

God of battles ; and while elainiing that the ineu in the Con- 
federate army had been actuated by an honest belief in the 
truth of their cause, and had maintained the contest till their 
resources were exhausted and all hope of success was over, 
they had accepted the decision of the sword, and were ani- 
mated with one purpose : to do their part towards making' the 
Union worthy of the devotion of all its sons, North and Scnith. 
He said tliat all that was needed to make the reconciliation 
complete was a better acquaintance with each other, and that 
such excursions as the present one Avould do more towards 
that end than all the words of politicians on both sides. The 
eloquent speech of the gallant major, of which this is but a 
brief abstract, was received with great enthusiasm, and the 
audience seemed unwilling to let the speaker retire. 

The members of the Winchester Band, having expressed a 
strong desire to hear Mrs. Joseph Willis of the excursion 
party (sister of Senior Vice-Commander J. D. Billings of the 
Massachusetts Department of the G. A. R.) sing " Marching 
through Georgia," that lady courteously complied with the 
request, and was warmly applauded. As an offset to this 
Northern tune, the band followed with " Dixie," to the grati- 
fication of all parties. 

Comrade Edward W. Thompson, of the Twelfth Maine, fol- 
lowed in a rattling speech, which kept the audience in good 
humor, and told some amusing stories which will no doubt be 
repeated at many a G. A. R. camp-fire. 

It was now the turn of the gray, and Capt. J. A. Nulton of 
the Winchester Guard, an old "Stonewall" veteran, aroused 
the enthusiasm to the highest pitch by his stirring words. The 
captain said there was one Union soldier that he had a greater 
respect for than for Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, or any of our 
other generals. He was on the picket-line ; it was " all quiet 
on the Potomac ; " across the river tlie Yanks cooked their 
coffee and ate their rations. His own rations consisted, for 
the most part, of the memory of what he had eaten before the 
war, and his mouth watered at tlie good things going into 
those blue stomachs. One day the aggravation reached its 
height; the Yankee picket had received a ''box" from home; 



84 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

looking across the stream at the gaunt figure in gray, he said, 
" Johnny, if you '11 come half-way across on that old tree, I '11 
give you one of these," holdhig up a box of sardines. " I '11 
do it." Each picket, taking to the tree, met midway of the 
stream and the sweet morsel changed hands. "If I could 
meet that Yank," said the gallant captain, '■' I 'd show him 
what kind of a sardine I am." Like the speech of Major 
Hunter, Capt. Nulton's remarks had the ring of true, broad 
patriotism, and were received with great favor. 

Comrade Frank M. Flynn, of the Thirty-eiglith, made one of 
his unique speeches, in which wit and wisdom were mingled 
in equal proportions, not forgetting to say a good word for the 
temperance cause, in which he is so warmly interested. As 
so many of the veterans and G. A. R. boys know, it is impos- 
^ sible to transfer to paper the inimitable fun and good humor 
of Comrade Flynn's speech. It is sufficient to say that he did 
himself and the old regiment justice. 

Gen. Birge, Commander of the First Brigade of the Second 
Division of the Nineteenth Corps, in the famous charge at the 
Opequan, was next introduced amid great applause, and 
expressed his pleasure at being present and witnessing and 
taking part in the joyous scenes of the occasion, and at the 
good which would result from it. He was glad to meet so 
many of his old command, whose sterling qualities as soldiers 
he had so often witnessed, and should ever cherish the memory 
of this pleasant excursion. 

Capt. Lawrence O'Brien, of the Ninth Connecticut, followed 
in a speech suited to the hour, and was listened to attentively. 

Col. Carroll D. Wright, though exhausted and hoarse from 
the arduous labors of the past three days, kindly acceded to 
the request of the committee, and spoke earnest words of pat- 
riotism and good counsel to the gathering. 

The exercises at the stand were closed by a rousing speech 
from the veteran Gen. Thomas, of the Eightli Vermont, who 
appealed to the patriotism of the South to let no politicians 
ever again mislead them into a distrust of the old LTnion, but 
to join heart and hand with their Northern fellow-citizens in 
promoting the glory and prosperity of a common country. 



A DECIDED I/IT. 85 

Comrade Tavbcll thanked the audience for their attention, 
and pronounced the cani[)-lire closed. 

The bonfire still blazed brightly in the camp, the latch-string 
at Camp Ljam was still out, and the great crowd seemed reluc- 
tant to disperse. But finally, the last carriage had departed, 
the last tired" vet " hugged his straw bed, the fire burned low, 
and silence reigned in the camp. The Thirty-eighth boys ex- 
pressed themselves satisfied with their camp-hre. The com- 
mittee in charge of tlie camp-fire was ably assisted by Comrades 
Tarbell, Wellington, Ilowland, Rodman, Whitney, Byrnes and 
Chapman, the Thirty-eighth contingent. 

Comrade Powers is altogether too modest in his description 
of this camp-fire, and it deserves a far more extended notice 
than he has G^iven it. The committee manifested much Indus- 
try and decided originality. The new version of " Tenting 
to-night," and the rendering of the same by the improvised 
but admirable quartette, was the pre-eminent hit of the whole 
excursion. The boys of the Thirty-eighth may well be })roud 
of the entertainment they furnished to the veterans and the 
throng of visitors in Camp Emory. 

Another night in camp. The whole company is getting 
used to camp-life, and heartily enjoys it. Tattoo and/taps ? — 
why, we 've heard them every night all our lives. We are a 
permanent military organization. We have never been any- 
thing else. Yes, indeed ! this is getting to be the reality of 
life. We easily eliminate twenty }■ ears of peace. There is no 
gap between '64 and '83. Go pound your knuckles on a tent- 
pole. " Come in ! " It 's a deal better than a drawing-room 
on Fifth Avenue, or a swell party on Beacon Hill. Stand, 
squat or nestle in the straw, — its all the same; there 's noth- 
ing like it. You high-toned or rheumatic fellows who go to 
the hotels, you miss the zest of this thing. Send to the 
Quartermaster for another candle, and let the story-tellers 
"fire by file." The essence of this experience escapes us; it 
cannot be described; it can never be forgotten. 



86 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Friday, the 21st. Reveille by the Fourteenth New Hamp- 
shire drummer and Thirty-eighth Massachusetts bugler, sounds 
out early on the clear air of a beautiful morning. What a 
reminder of original Valley campaigning to see scores of half- 
dressed men emerging from the tents with soap and towels, 
taking a bee-line for a water-pail and tin basin. It is exhila- 
rating to see two hundred men scrubbing themselves at 6 A. m. 
Some of the "vets" are getting pretty high-toned, — it isn't 
enough to provide them with blacking facilities ; they must 
have a darkey to black their boots for them. There are more 
" gentlemen " in the Valley than there were nineteen 3"ears ago. 

The programme for Friday was an excursion to the battle- 
fields of Cedar Creek and Fishers Hill. Early in the fore- 
nyon the train backed down to a crossing nearest the camp, 
where most of the members of the party embarked. A few 
remained in camp during the day, and enjoyed it thoroughly, 
receiving many visitors froin the city. The special train made 
a run direct to Fishers Hill and landed the party upon the 
battle-field, just at the point where Croek came in upon 
Early's left in the celebrated Hank movement which decided 
the fortunes of the day. That was a memorable forenoon's 
stroll. Grouj^s of eager visitors at once thronged the positions 
held by Early on the afternoon of September 22, 1864. The 
rifle-pits and the bastions, the earthworks for artillery, and 
even the identical rails used in those defenses are still to be 
seen in ,good condition. It is probable that Early's outlook 
towards Strasburg was not especially inspiring, but whatever 
he did or did not see, Nature certainly spread before him a 
rare landscape. Standing there on the heights with Tumbling 
Run away down at your feet, the unrivalled sinuosities of the 
Shenandoah cut one of the finest meadows ever seen into curi- 
ous areas; Strasburg is deftly set in the middle distance, the 
signal heights of Massanutten rising in the extreme distance 
to the right ; to the left of the centre of this magnificent picture 
are curiously tumbled the heights and ridges over which 
manceuvred the Sixth' and Nineteenth Army Corps as they 
formed in line of battle under the fire of Early's cannon. The 
Little North Mountains form the left high wall of the horizon, 



CEDAR CREEK AND EISNERS HILL. 87 

a portion of tlie landscape Avliich Avas not comprehended in 
Early's strategy. An hour was spent in reconnoitring tliis 
famous position. Then down the winding way through the 
ravine, by the mill, over the celebrated stone l)ridge, along the 
pike, under the brow of the bluff, — down whose crest Birge's 
brigade charged, — the excursion straggled on towards Stras- 
burg. A little imagination, and it was a regiment again march- 
ing along the familiar })ike, straggling as of yore when the 
hours grew long, hot and weary. Under the willows, on the 
broad stones, where the Shenandoah winds near to the pike in 
its peerless curves, — we rested, chatted, and drank in a spec- 
tacle, one of the pleasantest that eye can fall upon. It was 
getting warm. It grew hot. Strasburg always was a treach- 
erous point, and it kept receding. Once in the streets, every 
corner and stoop and sitting place was covered with tired 
excursionists. But the train met us there and whirled us 
swiftly back to' Cedar Creek. Belle Grove was again invaded. 
Sheridan's headquarters was again occupied by the Yankee 
invaders. Mr. James Smellie, the present j^roprietor, kindly 
opened his spacious rooms and ample grounds for the use of 
the visitors. Lunch had been brought from the camp in Win- 
chester, and the short work which that company made of 
hundreds of sandwiches and gallons of coffee was only par- 
alleled by the raid of Early's men on the Yankee sutler's 
stores in that very locality. The afternoon was spent in 
exploring the battle-field of Cedar Creek, in the midst of 
which Belle Grove mansion stands. The following is from 
the pen of Secretary of State, Addeman, of Rhode Island : — 

" Our excursionists, being largely representatives of each 
of the three corps engaged in the tight, the Sixth, the 
Eighth and the Nineteenth, scattered in various directions, to 
locate such spots as might have a special and j)^rsonal interest. 
The topography of the country has changed but little, and 
there w^as no difficulty in finding the sites of the old camps, 
the temporary breastworks thrown up in places, and also many 
souvenirs and relics of the fight. The country around is 
rather thinly settled, but we saw quite a number of the resi- 
dents, a few of them being Northern men. We had manv 



88 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

interesting reminiscences of that battle-summer from some of 
the settlers. Though in the track of moving armies, they 
spoke quite well of the general conduct of the men. One of 
them gave us an amusing incident, which he said was really 
the most provoking thing that happened to his family during 
the war. Provisions had been ver}- scant, but the family had 
succeeded in getting a fine roasting-piece, and had invited two 
or three Yankee officers from a neighboring camp to dine with 
them. There was some delaj?" in the arrival of the guests, and 
the dinner was left in the oven to keep hot awaiting their 
arrival. Imagine their disgust, however, when the hour at 
last arrived, to find that some ' Yank ' had sljdy crept into 
the kitchen, and discovering the roast had carried it off in his 
haversack. The gentleman nonchalantly added that they had 
to go hungry some days after. He also related an incident 
which very much amused him at the time, as illustrating 
Yankee ' cuteness.' Two of our soldiers being closely pur- 
sued by the Rebels, lay down on the ground, and, wrapping 
themselves in their blankets, kej)t up a continual groaning 
and crying for help, till the Rebels had passed, by this ruse 
escaping capture and pillage.. Being apparently wounded 
they were let alone. If they had been supposed dead, they 
would probably have been stripped of blankets and clothing, 
and, if found uninjured, they would at least have been sent 
to the rear as prisoners. The day passed away altogether 
too soon, and we reluctantly returned to the train, and, 
after a pleasant ride, reached our old camp near Winches- 
ter." 

Here is an episode of the battle which Carleton gives: — 

" I rode over the ground with Gen. Thomas, Officer of the 
Day, October 19, who, when the attack began, was on the 
turnpike with *his pickets. Suddenly he was confronted by a 
squadron of Rebel cavalry. 

" ' Surrender, you Yankee ! ' was the demand. 

" ' It 's too early in the morning, and your demand is n't 
respectful,' was the reply as he wheeled his horse." 

A curious incident and a remarkable coincidence occurred 
during this trip. During the first charge on the 19th of Sep- 





Col. T. \V. Porter 
Fourteenth Maine. 



Maj. F. L. Tolman, 

Fourteenth New Hampshirt-. 





Gen. H. W. Birge, 
1st Brig. 2d Div. 19th Corps. 




Capt. G. N. Cari'enier, 
Eighth Vermont, 



SERG'r. G. H. STOWELL, JR. 

Kourieenih New Hampshire. 



NTINQ 00., BOSTON 



LAST NIGHT IN CAMP. 89 

tember, 1864, F. S. Berry of the Twenty-sixth Massachusetts 
Infantry, had his tin cup shot from his haversack. On the 
retreat from that disastrous cliarge, H. C. ]\Iace of the Four- 
teenth New Hampshire Infantry found the cup and kept it. 
He found the owner's name engraved, evidently with the point 
of a nail, on the bottom of the cup. Preserving it for nine- 
teen years, he brought it on the excursion. While sitting in 
the cars between Winchester and Cedar Creek, he mentioned 
the incident, when a stranger claimed the cup. It was indeed 
F. S. Berry, who had lost that cup nearly twenty years ago. 

It was already apparent that the time included within the 
limits of the excursion was altogether too short for anj' 
thorough exploration of the battle-fields, and it was generally 
conceded that another visit to the Valley must be made within 
a few years. The wonderful field of Cedar Creek was not 
satisfactorily traversed by the veterans. 



THE LAST NIGHT IN CAMP. 

It was with sincere regret that Sheridan's Veterans noted 
the approaching end of their week's camping. Another week 
on that same ground could have been profitably and delight- 
fully occupied. The camp was bright with candles, torches 
and bonfires. Prominent citizens of Winchester had been fre- 
quent visitors, and again on this last night the throngs poured 
in. " Tlie Rhode Island i^arty was favored that evening by an 
invitation to dine with Capt. C. W. Hollis, the Assessor of 
Winchester, and a fine specimen of a Virginian gentleman. 
lihej there met a number of ex-Confederate officers, and 
found them to be intelligent and courteous gentlemen. After 
the cloth was cleared, metaphorically, speeches were made by 
a number of the guests, this being a custom quite frequent at 
a private dinner in Virginia, but quite novel to the New Eng- 
land visitor." 

Early in the evening the Fourteenth New Hampshire held 
its annual business-meeting in the tent of the excursion man- 
ager. It was a suggestive gathering, -— tlie veterans of the 



90 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Fourteenth crowding that hirge tent, and renewing an organiza- 
tion for another year on the very ground where it had been so 
fearfully broken and so ineffably consecrated almost two decades 
ago. Never before since the line first formed on the colors 
in Camp Cheshire at Concord had the " boys " of the old 
Fourteenth felt so drawn together as when seated in that 
tent, pitched on the very acre where their first grand but dis- 
astrous charge had ended. 

A general camp-fire was on the programme. Chaplain B. F. 
Whittemore of the Thirtieth Massachusetts presided. As on 
previous nights, plenty of music and big bonfires. Gayety 
in the camp. Enthusiasm in the great crowd. Camp Lynn 
in full blast. Wash-tub after wash-tub of lemonade, Comrade 
Flynn being a guaranty that there was no "stick" in it. 
Chaplain Whittemore mounted the rostrum and said : — 

Comrades and Friends : — 

It has fallen to my lot to have the charge of this, our last 
camp-fire, and it furnishes me with the opportunity to speak 
some of the thoughts that have filled my mind since we came 
into this historic Valley. We are not obliged now to perform 
pilgrimages to other continents to stand on fields made sacred 
in memory or story by " deeds of noble men," for here, as well 
as elsewhere, within our own boundaries, we can assemble and 
repeat over the acts made famous by the courage and endur- 
ance, the wounds and scars, the heroism and death of the 
gallant soldiers of two mighty forces, which tested and estab- 
lished the valor of American arms. As I look back over the 
past, there are mingled feelings of sorrow and pride when I 
reflect upon the fact of our fratricidal strife. For, whatever may 
have been the causes which plunged our nation into the horrors 
and disasters of a hotly -contested warfare of four years' continu- 
ance, it was a conflict among our own brethren, — " a house 
divided against itself," and for this recollection my heart is sor- 
rowful ; but, when I remember, whichever way the fight weiit, 
from time to time, on field or flood, until the final surrender and 
close of hostilities, that every victory won was a triumph of my 



THE LAST CAMP-FIRE. 91 

countrj'-men, and that no foreign hireling couhl glory over a 
single defeat, then my soul is filled with a pride that lifts 
me up to the full stature of a continental nobility, and I thank 
God that I am an American. 

There was no more fiercely contested field than tlie one on 
which we here have lingered to recall the scenes whicli have 
made immortal the days of September throughout this fair, 
classic Valley, and you historic town. 

Is not tliis an hour in which we can all exult ! — the differ- 
ences that arrayed us in hostile attitudes are all in " the dark 
sea of oblivion buried ; " the jealousies and suspicions that 
caused us to bivouac over against each other banished from 
mind and will, and we are assured, however hard we fought 
each other for ideas, theories or purposes in the past, that the 
grand future, so auspiciously begun right here and now, will 
find us inspired by the one thought, animated by the sole 
desire of making this Nation of ours what we have so often 
declared it to be in our seasons of boasting — the "grandest 
and best Nation under the sun." 

Now let me sa^^ one word of parting to the gallant Confed- 
erate soldiers — the good citizens of Winchester and this 
charming Valle}- of the Shenandoah, not forgetting the fair 
ladies whose presence has graced our camp-ground so often, 
and whose bright eyes have inspired our hearts with such con- 
fidence in the friendships we have formed, — we can never, nor 
would we ever, forget the cordial welcomes that attended our 
entrance to your town, the generous hospitalities extended us 
in every place, the words of sincere and honest trust in the 
purpose of our visit, the open, frank avowal of kindly feeling, 
the warm hands and hearts which have " bridged the bloody 
chasm " and brought us into an alliance which shall never 
again be severed or imperilled. 

God bless this millennial epoch and keep green these hours 
and moments so fnll of chivalric courtesies ; and may we, 
when the last good-bye shall have been said, all feel that it was 
" good for us to have been here." And in commemoration of 
our enjoyable visit among you let me call upon my generous 
muse to give her sentiment in poetic verse : — 



92 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

War's fearful rage and carnage 

Have passed, but soldiers meet 
On fields where hosts embattled 

Hurled forth the murderous sleet. 

They meet not now as hostiles, 
But friends greet friends to-day ; 

God bless this peace evangel 
Between " the Blue and Gray," 

That fills the vale of Shenandoah, 

This bright September morn. 
God bless this happy league of peace 

Upon the Opequan. 

Henceforth when we are boasting 

Of deeds heroic, grand ! 
We '11 tell our children's children 

The soldiers of our land 

Have buried deadly hatreds. 

Forgot the wounds and scars ; 
The " Blue and Gray " fall in and march 

Beneath the Stripes and Stars. 

Then, if again perchance we hear 

War's fierce and dread alarms, 
One serried host we then shall be, — 

As one will rush to arms ; 

And for this grand Republic give 

Our lives, our fortunes too ; 
Our sacred honors, all we '11 pledge, — 

We'll pledge "the Gray and Blue." 

The new and popular version of the song " Tenting to-night " 
was called for, and rendered by the quartette, as on a previous 
occasion. Chaplain Whittemore then introduced Major E. L. 
Noyes of the Third Massachusetts Cavalry, who sjjoke aS 
follows : — 



MAJOR NO YES' SPEECH. 93 

Mr. Chairman : — 

I thank you, and through you my comrades of your com- 
mittee, for the privilege of active particijjation in the ceremo- 
nies of this occasion. Ladies and comrades of tlie grand army 
of a re-united republic, I stand before you at this moment in 
an agitation of pleasure, pride, sorrow and regret. Pleased to 
be able to stand here as an individual representative of the 
campaign of nineteen years ago, — proud of the privilege 
accorded me by the partiality of my comrades of representing 
at this time the old Third Massachusetts Cavalry. 

With sorrow for the consciousness of m}'" poverty of speech 
on an occasion fraught with so many sad and pleasant mem- 
ories, it seems to me that lips before dumb might burst forth 
in eloquence of words stirring to hearts much less susceptible 
than ours ; regret for my want of ability to offer, at this time, 
a tribute to the valor of the soldiers of either of the contend- 
ing armies, or to urge in elegant rhetoric the desirability of 
cultivating in the future a warmer and stronger fraternal feel- 
ing between them, to the end that we may be " now and for- 
ever one and inseparable." Comrades, if I may be allowed at 
this time to offer an honest and well-considered conviction, I 
may say, while I have no apologies to offer, and no regrets for 
the active part I endeavored to take in the Union army, I am 
convinced that had I lived on this side the Potomac at the be- 
ginning of the war, I should have been equally as zealous on 
the other side. 

That the regiment which it is my privilege to represent at 
this time took no insignificant part in the struggle which the 
ceremonies of this occasion are designed to commemorate, is 
evinced by the fact that our gallant corps commander, Gen. 
Emory, took occasion at that time to commend their action in 
strong and earnest words. And it is to me one of tlie proud- 
est memories of this whole war that I was privileged to listen 
to that commendation. 

My friends of this Valley of Virginia, I have had many new 
and varied experiences since coming into your very beautiful 
Valley this second time, and have had an opportunity to con- 
sider and contemplate them as never before. How severely 
you must have suffered, and bravely you bore that suffering, 



94 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

during the war, and how valiantly you are now struggling to 
obliterate all that is hateful in the past ! and, as with hearts 
lacerated and still bleeding from the sufferings and cruelties 
of the war, you greet us with kind words and open arms, who 
can doubt your sincerity ! 

Of the concluding portions of the evening's exercises the 
Winchester Times says : — 

" Gen. Thomas was then introduced, who made an address 
in which, among many other matters touched upon, he spoke of 
the late war being brought upon the country by the politicians 
having misled the people on both sides. He was in the 
Charleston Convention and had been an active politician 
himself. He cautioned those present of political demagogues, 
and advised them to vote for principles, not men. His whole 
address was well-timed, and throughout nothing but the kind- 
liest words were uttered in recognition of the fraternal feeling 
that had prevailed among our people for the last week. A 
member of the City Council of Boston then rendered a song 
in fine voice, after which Col. Carroll D. Wright stepped on 
the platform and in a few eloquent remarks acknowledged the 
reception of a beautiful basket of flowers (which he placed 
before him) from the ladies of Winchester, to be placed on 
the unknown dead in the National cemeter3\ This slight 
tribute was in recognition of the magnanimous act of Wed- 
nesday evening, the 19th. The evening's exercises in camp 
closed by the singing of " Deai*est May " and " My Country, 't is 
of Thee," by the select choir, and the chorus of the last verse 
was taken up by all present. The moon just at that moment 
appeared from behind a cloud, and certainly a weird scene was 
presented which baffles our descriptive powers. Camp-fires, 
the white tents brilliantly lighted from within, the large crowd 
of people everywhere in social converse, horses and carriages 
standing about, the band of music playing, the singing and the 
vociferous cheers that rent the air, which were just at this 
moment given at the instance of Chaplain Whittemore as he 
was leaving the stand, in honor of the good people who had so 
heartily welcomed them, the bright harvest-moon beaming 
down on all, went to make up a picture that will not be wit- 
nessed again for some time, if ever, by our country." 



GENERAL EMORY'S GOOD-BYE. 95 



PARTING AT WINCHESTER. 

Breaking camp ! There is nothing like it. It was with 
sincere regret that the miniature tented cosmopolitan city 
known as " Camp Emory " was dissolved by a touch forever. 
It had become a very real, a very pleasant, and in thought, 
almost a permanent institution. Before the tents go down as 
by magic, and the camp finally disappears, there are some bits 
of incident to be gathered up. This from Capt. Addeman's 
correspondence : — 

" Close by our camp is the shell of what was once a fine resi- 
dence. The windows and floors are gone and ugly rents have 
been made in the roof. It is known as the Hackwood house, 
and is said to have been built by the wife of a gentleman who, 
many years ago, was a Congressman from this district. The 
special feature about the house is a place in the cellar, said by 
the colored people to have been a dungeon in which refractory 
slaves were shut up, and where one was left to starve to death. 
Another tradition of the place is that this woman tied up one 
of her 'niggers,' and with her own hand laid on the lashes 
which resulted in the death of the slave. As this was told us 
by an ex-Confederate, with an apparent belief in its truth, we 
may take it as an illustration of some of the diabolical fea- 
tures of the peculiar institution." 

It was an impressive spectacle, that early morning marshall- 
ing of the veterans of the Nineteenth Army Corps, as Gen. 
Emory stepped in front of the remnant of those troops which 
had followed him in the desperate conflicts of Mississippi, 
Louisiana and Virginia, and who now fell in to give him the 
farewell salute and receive his benediction. As a proud gen- 
eral and a tender father he addressed them. With a trembling 
voice he referred to the campaigns of twenty years ago, and in 
a few brief sentences sketched the brilliant record of his corps. 
He told them of his confidence and pride in them, of the satis- 



96 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

faction with which he reviewed tlie battles in which he had led 
them, and depicted eloquently the gratification he had experi- 
enced in the exercises of this excursion. In closing he said : — 

" I want to say to you, my old soldiers, that I am as proud 
of you to-day as when I led you on this field nineteen years 
ago ; and I wish further to say that you have inaugurated an 
entirely new thing. You have furnished to the world a novel 
episode in the history of war. Nothing like this was ever 
witnessed on this planet before." 

Gen. Emory then stepped down the line, grasping every 
veteran by the hand and bidding him a cordial good-bye. As 
the beloved commander turned to go the attempt at a cheer 
was a failure. There was a choking in the throat, — the emo- 
tions of the moment could not be expressed in hurrahs. 

Throughout the existence of Camp Emory a beautiful silk 
banner stood in front of the commandant's tent. It was the 
flag of Col. Joseph Thoburn G. A. R. Post, of Harpers Ferry. 
It was carried by Comrade L. F. Upright, who was the chief 
gunner in the firing of the salutes in camp, being assisted by 
Comrades E. Tattersall and R. Bruner. Another banner, 
already alluded to, was the headquarters flag of the Second 
Brigade, Second Division, Sixth Corps, being that of the 
famous Grant's Vermont Brigade, one of the finest in the 
whole corps. The flag was in charge of Comrade R. E, 
Hathorn. 

One of the pleasing incidents in Camp Emory was the fol- 
lowing testimonial, which was presented to the excursion man- 
ager by President William A. Tarbell, of the Thirty-eighth 
Massachusetts Association, and signed by the twenty-eight 
ladies and gentlemen comprising tlie Thirty-eighth's quota of 
the excursion. 

'■'• Bear Sir : — We, the undersigned, members of the Thirty- 
eighth Massachusetts Regiment delegation of Sheridan's Vet- 
erans Excursion to the Shenandoah Valley, appreciating your 
uniform courtesy and untiring efforts, as manager of this 
excursion, to make our trip pleasant and profitable, do hereby 
tender you our sincere thanks." 



BREAKING CAMP. 97 

There are generous acts and sjieeial kindnesses to be recog- 
nized in connection with this camp. Mr. C. B. Spangler, one 
of Stonewall Jackson's old soldiers, tendered the use of his 
grounds for the camp. Mr. W. H. Baker opened up his entire 
farm on the battle-ground to the use of the excursionists. 
The manager is indebted to Keating Brothers, of Winchester, 
for the use of camp implements without charge. Mr. Far- 
quharsonis one who should be referred to as most reasonable in 
his charges for things furnished to the camp. This is espe- 
cially referred to because of some contrasts ex|)erienced. 
There were those in Winchester who unmercifully "bled " the 
manager in their (jharges. Bills were rendered for things never 
furnished. The bills were paid — to prevent unpleasantness. 
Only one or two parties are involved in the charge, and the 
matter is referred to because in no instance was there an over- 
charge, nor anything but liberal and generous dealing, by a 
Confederate soldier or any genuine Southern man. . 

The " sick calls " in Camp Emory were the real thing, 
and reminders of old times. The aroma of quinine and that 
peculiar liquid in which it Avas dissolved followed Surgeon 
Perkins and Assistant-Surgeon Chase as they went from tent 
to tent to minister to the sick and wounded. It is said 
that one handsome and gay citizen-member of the company 
palmed himself off upon the Southern damsels as a bachelor, 
and went into action. He came out badly wounded, and the 
surgeons decided that nothing could be done short of am- 
putation. There is a hint in the air that this lively bachelor 
will get a mortal thrust if he ever tries that encounter over 
again. 

Early Saturday morning tents were struck, Camp Emory 
was no more, and there remained upon the field a flag-pole, a 
rostrum, and an amphitheatre of seats, stacks of folded tents, 
pyramids of valises, a houseless company of excursionists, a 
hoAvling crowd of darkey Jehus, a bigger crowd of urchins of 
all sexes, colors and attire, poking through heaps of deserted 
straw for valuables and relics. The Quartermaster was look- 
ing fifteen ways at once ; the Commissary was trying to get 
away without having more than half his utensils gobbled up ; 



98 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

there was time to look around; everybody was happy, and the 
procession moved. 

The time had come for Sheridan's Veterans to reciprocate, 
so far as they might, the courtesies of Winchester. Again the 
court-house was filled ; North and South occupied the plat- 
form and filled the hall. There was no blue, no gray. Col. 
Wright called the assembly to order, and thus addressed 
Mayor Clark, who stood in front of him upon the platform : — • 

Mr. Mayor: — 

We could not leave your beautiful country without coming 
in a body to thank you and the people of your city for all the 
kindnesses that you and they have bestowed upon us during 
our stay, and to bid you good-bye. You have conquered us. 
To you, soldiers of the Confederate Army, we surrender our 
hearts, and may God prosper you and yours. With this sur- 
render, however, we pledge you our warm support in every 
step you make towards the prosperity of the South. We 
have been with you during the week. AVe have mingled 
freely in town and in camp, and no word or act has marred 
the perfect companionship which began when you so nobly 
welcomed us to Virginia. Your action has been manly in 
ever}^ respect. This has touched us deeply. You have had 
no apologies to make, nor have we, but with perfect manliness 
you have met and treated us. We return to our homes with 
all the pleasant memories you wished for us at our reception. 
We carry back more : we carry a message which shall be love, 
and borne with love ; we shall say that the people of the South 
are in earnest, that this Nation's greatness is assured, and that 
Virginia and New England bear the old relations which made 
them invincible in the councils of old. .We adopt the noble 
motto of your Confederate Veteran Association, and seek to 
perpetuate the memories but not the animosities of the war. 
You have won us in every way, and we regret the parting. 
You met us with the Rebel yell, as you did nineteen years 
ago, but somehow this time it touched us to the very heart- 
centre, for you could not have complimented us in a better 



THE RESOLUTIONS. 99 

wa3% Yes, we have always been warmly received in tlie 
Valley, and we want to return your last warm reception in 
kind and on New England soil. You promised us a good old 
Virginia welcome, — we have tasted it, and testify that you 
have carried out the promise, and although the prohibitory 
laws of the North are not in force in the Valley, we feel that 
no harm has come to us, or to you, from the absence of 
stringent regulations. 

And now, Mr. Mayor, with a fervent God bless you, we 
must bid you farewell, and I know I speak the sentiments of 
every member of our party when I say that tliis act is the only 
unpleasant feature of our visit to Winchester. Good-bye. 

Col. Wright then called upon Chaplain Whittemore, who 
read the following resolutions as expressive of the sentiments 
of the party : — 

Whereas,, The late civil war brought men of the different 
sections of a common country into hostile array against each 
other ; and 

Whereas^ Four years of fearful strife and carnage, of sacrifice 
and endurance, of victories and defeat taught all who partici- 
pated in the rigors and resnlts of that war, that an honorable 
and valiant foe is worthy the admiration of every true hero ; 
and 

Whereas, Union and Confederate armies, led to the forefront 
of contest, on a thousand sanguinary fields, by trusted and 
able commanders, proved the valor and tested the bravery of 
American soldiers ; and 

Whereas, New England veteran organizations, after the lapse 
of nearly two decades, resolved to visit the battle-grounds of 
the Shenandoah Valley, made sacred by the blood of martyrs, 
where living impressions of the heroic fortitude and courage 
of " a foeman worthy of our steel " were burned into our hearts 
and memories ; and 

Whereas, The City Council of Winchester, learning of our 
contemplated excursion, did, by resolution in honorable Coun- 
cil assembled, tender us the freedom of their beautiful cit}^ 
and, on our arrival, overwhelm us with their cordial and 



100 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

friendly hospitalities — which action was generously endorsed 
by the citizens at large — Therefore 

Resolved., That the unfeigned thanks of the Veterans of the 
Shenandoah, and their associate excursionists are due and are 
hereby tendered the Mayor and the Honorable Council of the 
city of Winchester, for their every expression of good will and 
kindly regard ; and, we assure them, such manifestations of 
chivalric esteem shall never be effaced from our memories. 

Resolved^ That we cannot too fervently and heartily make 
known our appreciation of the tender kindnesses of the fair 
ladies of Winchester in the preparations made for our comfort 
and refreshment, for the sweetly fragrant floral gifts their 
hands bestowed for the decoration of the graves of our fallen 
braves, and the many other womanly tributes of which we have 
been the recipients during our stay in this delightful Valley. 

Resolved., That, to the members of " the Confederate Veter- 
an Association," whose motto — "to perpetuate memories, not 
animosities" — we have adopted in our commemorative exer- 
cises, upon the fields we have both so hotly contested, we ex- 
tend the hand of perpetual friendship ; for, coming as we did, 
soldiers among soldiers, the blue among the gray, receiving such 
warm and hearty greetings, we acknowledge a willing and 
cheerful surrender to their magnanimous and valorous cour- 
tesies. 

Resolved., That we shall ever remember with pleasure and 
pride the martial bearing of the Winchester Light Infantry, 
under the efficient command of the gallant ex-Confederate 
officer, Capt. Jos. A. Nulton, which acted as our escort on our 
arrival, and to them we tender our most grateful considera- 
tions. 

Resolved, That " the concord of sweet sounds," the martial 
airs, the inspiriting and soul-stirring music of,the Union Cor- 
net Band, the Sarah Zane Cornet Band and the Friendship 
Cornet Band will go with us in our departure from the charm- 
ing and historical Valley of Shenandoah and remain with us as 
souvenirs of the millenial episode of the hour. 

' Resolved., That for the numerous kind and considerate atten- 
tions we have received from all the people, while in their midst, 



MAYOR CLARK'S FAREWELL. 101 

we are profoundly and sincerely thank lid ; and, as we go hence, 
Ave shall carry to our homes and hearthstones, and treasure in 
our hearts, the conviction that our i)il<;i-i)nag'e to theValley of 
the Shenandoah has resulted in the initial step of the onward 
march towards a more perfect and complete recognition of a 
grand future that awaits our glorious republic, made possible 
and sure by the valor of American arms, and the purj^oses of 
a reunited people. 

Mayor Clark responded as follows : — 

Col. Wi'ifjht, and Crentlemen of the New E^igland Vetera?!^ : — 

It gives me great pleasure to receive the kind acknowledg- 
ments which you have just made, and I beg that you will 
accept a grateful return for them, from the authorities and 
citizens of this connnunity. 

Your visit to our neighborhood has been a source of grati- 
fication to us, and we are happy to believe that it has pi-oved 
satisfactory to yourselves. 

We are somewhat taken aback, though. Colonel, in hearing 
you say that you have come into our city this morning to sur- 
render yourselves as prisoners into our hands ; for, to be frank 
with you, we had rather thought that we ourselves were the 
prisoners — captured by your generous and soldierly bearing. 
We accept, however, most cordially, the gallant surrender 
which you have made, and are happ3% sir, that we meet upon 
a field of hospitality and friendship, in which each side is wil- 
ling to be the prisoner of the other. 

We would be glad, gentlemen, to keep 3'ou longer in our 
midst, that the acquaintance which began on Tuesday last and 
which has developed so happily, might ripen into a still deeper 
feeling of mutual regard ; but I am aware that you are to be 
to-day the guests of the city of Harrisonburg, some distance off, 
and hence I will not detain you unreasonably here. Let me 
express the hope, in parting, that your further journe}' up our 
Valley may prove as agreeable to yourselves as I am sure it 
will be to our sister city, and, if you cannot delay longer with 
us, that your journey homeward may be aus[)icious in all its 
features. 



102 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

A BEAUTIFUL TOKEN. 

The exercises, as above delineated, roused much enthusiasm 
and the emotions of the entire audience were deeply stirred. 
All felt that this final gathering was the fitting culmination of 
a series of remarkable courtesies and hospitalities, and that the 
})ermanent impression made upon the Nortliern and Southern 
heart was deeper than could be comjirehended at the moment. 
Amid the tumult of enthusiasm the band struck up an inspir- 
ing strain, and when silence had been restored Capt. J. J. 
Williams, chairman of the Reception Committee of the city of 
Winchester, stepped to the front of the platform holding in 
his hands a massive and magnificent bouquet. He said : — - 

Fellow Citizens of America : — 

The inferences drawn by our citizens from their own obser- 
vation, and confirmed by the concurrent testimony of the 
members of this excursion, have led us to believe that its con- 
ception has been due, in large part, to the assiduity and gen- 
erous and patriotic impulses of Capt. Francis H. Buffum, the 
manager of the excursion, as has its success been the result, in 
large part, of his zeal and energy. In recognition of this, a 
number of the ladies of Winchester have delegated to me the 
pleasing and honorable duty of presenting, on their behalf, to 
Capt. Buffum, this beautiful floral tribute. A tribute, sir, of 
our appreciation of the spirit and the temper in which you and 
3'our comrades have visited the battle-fields in our midst; man- 
ifested as it has been in the noble sentiments of the address of 
your commander in response to the admirable welcome of His 
Honor, our Mayor; in the utterances of your poet and orators 
in all your ceremonies, and the bearing of your people while 
among us ; but most eloquently of all when you laid upon the 
graves of our own dead heroes the tribute of your presence, 
your flowers and your tears. Aye, my friends, you did then 
a good day's work for our common country ; you touched the 
chords of our people's hearts and thrilled them with feeling 
such as all true patriots must gladly discern. For the poet 
has well said ; — 



THE WOMEN OF WINCHESTER. 103 

" You batiisli our auger forever 
AVlieu you laurel the graves of our dead." 

But I know tliiit your time is limited this morning, and I 
hasten, Capt. Buff'um, to discharge my pleasing duty of placing 
in your hands this beautiful bouquet. But I trust I may be 
excused in adding that these flowers, emblems of the Resur- 
rection, as they have been ever since the dawn of Christian- 
ity, springing as they do into life and beauty and the glory 
of sunshine from the damp, dark mould of earth, are lit 
symbols of the flowers of knightly courtesy, of soldier hearts, 
of tender sympathy, of patriotic devotion, which, planted by 
the kindly hands of yourself and your comrades, shall spring 
froiii " the sacred dust of graves," graves " of the Blue and the 
Gray," to stud with their pure beauty the fields of earth, their 
fragrance to climb the steeps of Heaven, and be welcojiie 
incense at the very throne of God. For, since the heavenly 
host sang in the skies of Bethlehem nearl}- nineteen hundred 
years ago, " peace on earth and good will towards men " has 
ever been coupled with " Glory to God in the Highest." 

The recipient of this beautiful testimonial replied: — 

" I must confess that of several things I am proud to-day. 
That I am a member of this excursion ; that I am one of 
Sheridan's Veterans ; that I was permitted to serve in the 
Fourteenth New Hampshire Volunteers; that I was able to be 
in every engagement with my regiment; that I could receive, 
on the field of battle yonder, the commendation of that brave 
commander. Gen. Thomas, for my conduct on that ever memo- 
rable day — of these things I am proud. And now another 
source of pleasure, one ever to be cherished, has been opened 
for me. I am placed under an obligation I can never requite. 
To be remembered by the noble ladies of Winchester in this 
delightful manner is something I could not have anticipated, 
and frankly I own that it is a recognition quite undeserved. 
And yet there is a fitness in affording me this opportunity of 
responding to the grand ovation we have received. You have 
listened to men who were prominent in the leadership of our 



104 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

armies. It is fitting that. a voice from the ranks should be 
heard, for while I have a right to the title by which you, sir, 
have addressed me, in virtue of two commissions which I have 
since held, still the rank which I glory in is that of Color-Ser- 
geant of the Fourteenth regiment. In my boyish ambition it 
was a position which I greatly coveted and was very proud of 
when I got it. And now I wish to express through you, sir, 
the gratitude that is in my heart to the ladies of Winchester 
for this kindly remembrance. If I have been able to do any- 
thing to further the interest and contribute to the success of 
this event, or rather splendid series of events, then I am very 
thankful. The wonderful success of this project is due to the 
singular patience and hearty co-operation of this entire visiting 
company. It has moved me profoundly to see that blunders 
in management and defects at various points have been cheer- 
fully ignored. None have done more, none could do more than 
the ladies of this veteran excursion to contribute to its enjoy- 
ment. They have wrapped about all insufficiencies that mantle 
of charity which they so well know how to weave, and which 
can never be cast off nor forgotten. It is well that this fra- 
grant and peerlessly beautiful suggestion of noble women 
should mingle its aroma with the benedictions and happy fel- 
lowships of this parting hour. We greet you and we go ; but • 
our sincere regard, the earnest of a restored fraternity — we 
cannot take it with us, it must abide with you. And now, as 
these flowers have gathered from every source their many 
colors and mingling perfumes, so I would gather up from every 
shade of thought and feeling the mingling emotions of this 
occasion, and crystallize them in these warm parting words." 

At the conclusion of these remarks, by special request, the 
excursion quartette rendered the new popular version of 
" Tenting to-night." Then more band music, an impromptu 
final greeting, and the line was re-formed and the march was 
made to the station. Amid universal and hearty expressions 
of good will, the train started with a company which, even 
with a week's experience, had not become used to rolling up 
this famous Valley in magnificent railroad cars. Toilsome 



>&- 




"ALL QUIET ON THE POTOMAC." 




POINT OF ROCKS. 



THEN AND NO W. 105 

were the marches, dangerous was every advance and disas- 
trous every retreat for the veterans, when hist the}'- traversed 
these shell-ploughed acres and tramped over these memorable 
pikes. The transformation, the contrasts ! It cannot be real- 
ized in one week's experience. One hundred miles up the 
Valley. Where are there other famous leagues of marching 
and fighting, outside the old Roman empire, in one narrow 
valley stretch, which can match these, which to-day wear the 
amazing contrasts of twenty years. Veterans of war and 
peace. We have trod the historic bridge of a marvellous 
experience. One abutment is the conflict era when we first 
deploj^ed on the banks of the Potomac and Shenandoah to 
meet in fiercest trial the bravest men, the best fighters of the 
Sunny South. The other end of the great span rests in flow- 
ers, in hallowed reminiscence, in cordial greeting, in restored 
fraternity, in manly and enduring fellowship. And 'tis less 
than twenty years long — that high arch which we have trod. 
Eager eyes scanned every mile and rod of the course up the 
Valley. We had learned the pike and the abutting fields by 
heart, and there was little in the topography to reconstruct. 
The Valley is little different from that Valley of Sheridan and 
Early, of Stonewall Jackson and Hunter, save that barns and 
stock are now plenty, and rich fields are glowing peacefully, 
unravaged by contending forces. The Valley of Virginia has 
put on its rich and beautiful garments of peace. 



106 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 



HARRISONBURG'S OVATION. 

The first move towards publicly receiving and banqueting 
Sheridan's Veterans was made by the authorities of Harrison- 
burg. Both of the enterprising newspapers of the town early 
published the programme of the trip, and urged liberal action 
toward a cordial reception. Col. D. H. Lee Martz, of the old and 
famous Tenth Virginia, issued a stirring appeal to his veterans 
to turn out and welcome the New England veterans. They 
were in the habit of being always on hand for a pretty warm 
welcome of the " Yanks " twenty years ago. And now let us 
look at this festive occasion thro^ugh Harrisonburg eyes, that is, 
those of the Old Commomvealtli. Here is its account: — 

" Saturday last, September 22d, was a red-letter day in the 
history of Harrisonburg. It was the occasion of the visit of 
the 'New England Veterans of the Shenandoah,' and their 
reception by the citizens of this place, assisted by the Harrison- 
burg Guards and the remnant of the gallant Tenth Virginia 
Infantry Regiment. 

"At earlj^ dawn on Saturday the Committee on Decorations, 
consisting of Messrs. Charles P. McQuaide and Warren A. Hel- 
phenstine, were busy as bees assisting the citizens along the 
proposed line of march to properly decorate their houses, and 
directing the proper decorating of the bridge over Black's Run 
at the north end of Main Street, and the stand and entrance 
gates at the court-house yard. The Avork of this committee at 
the bridge and court-house yard was tastefully done, and 
reflected credit upon the committee. The bridge was covered 
with bunting, and in the centre was a handsome wreath, across 
which were placed two reversed muskets, the word ' Wel- 
come,' in letters two feet long, being worked of evergreens. 

" The eight o'clock train carried away to Mt. Jackson the 
Train Reception Committee, consisting of Lt.-Col. O. B. Roller, 
of the Second Virginia Regiment, and Lieut. J. P. Kerr, 



MR. HARNSBERGER'S WELCOME. 107 

of the Harrisonburg Guards, in full dress uniform, and Messrs. 
Foxhair A. Daingerfield, James Sullivan, J. C. Staples, J. W. 
Blair and Sanuiel J. Price. This conunittee met the visitors 
at Mt. Jackson, and after forming the acquaintance of Col. 
Carroll D. Wright, Chairman of the excursionists' General 
Committee, and Francis II. Buffum, executive olliccr of the 
excursionists, were introduced by them to nearly all of the 
party, which numbered two hundred and thirteen. They were 
travelling in six elegant special cars, and it was self-evident at 
first sight were hugely enjoying themselves. 

" Upon the arrival of the train at the depot, about one o'clock, 
the train committee were kept busy introducing the veterans 
to the members of the Harrisonburg Reception Committee, 
and securing seats for the ladies of the party, about'twenty in 
number, in carriages which were in waiting at the depot. The 
line of march from the depot to the court-house was quickly 
formed in the following order : Carriages containing the lady 
visitors ; Harrisonburg Guards, thirty-eight muskets, preceded 
by the Mill Creek Cornet Band ; Veterans of the Tenth Vir- 
ginia Infantry, fifty strong; 'New England Veterans of the 
Shenandoah,' marching by fours, one hundred and ninety-two 
strong, headed by the Winchester Union Cornet Band ; citi- 
zens. The line of march was down North Main Street from 
the depot to the court-house yard, entering the yard by the 
eastern gate. The gate was nicely decorated, the word ' Wel- 
come ' appearing in large golden letters. 

" After some little delay in getting the immense crowd of 
people properly arranged, Mr. Samuel J. Harnsberger, as 
Chairman of the Citizens' Reception Committee, delivered the 
following address of welcome : — 

'■'•'■ Ladies and Gentlemen of the Union Veteran Corpi< : — 

" 'In the absence of our Mayor, and in obedience to the re- 
quest of citizens who had learned of your coming, it becomes my 
pleasing duty to extend to you the hospitalities of our town 
and an " old Virginia welcome." (Applause.) We desire 
you to feel and realize that you are not " strangers in a strange 
land," but that you are, one and all, verily at home and in the 
house of your friends. (Applause.) 



108 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

" ' Some nineteen years since the Federal and Confederate sol- 
diers in the Valley of Virginia met each other in deadly con- 
flict and received each other at the point of the ba3''onet — tliat 
was tear ; but to-day is the day of peace, for all well-meaning 
citizens and true Americans (applause), and as such we meet 
together in person, and we cheerfully extend to you and re- 
ceive from you the right hand of fellowship (applause) ; and 
as to all past differences we plead the statute of limitation (ap- 
plause) each upon the other, and as to all things else not 
thereby cured and provided for, we jointl}^ and severally in- 
voke, and rely upon the old common-law rule of repose and on 
presumption of satisfaction generally and specially. (Laughter. ) 

" ' The tr^ie soldiers of both contending armies, in April, 
1865, at Appomattox, signed and sealed a compact of peace 
and good will, and that compact they., the true soldiers, have 
observed and faithfully kept, and ever since then there has 
been peace in the land (applause), except, and only except, in 
the minds of those men who are " men of war in time of 
peace, and men of peace in time of war " (great laughter) ; 
the fuss-and-feather brigade of both armies and sections. 

" ' There are here to-day to welcome you members of the 
Tenth Virginia Infantry, Fifth Virginia Infantry, Fifty-second 
Virginia Infantry, the Twelfth, Seventh and Fifth Virginia 
Cavalry, and probably of other regiments, and of the old 
Stonewall Brigade — men who followed the leader upon whose 
likeness j^ou now look.' [Pointing to Stonewall Jackson's 
picture.] (Uproarious api:»lause.) 

" [At tliis point one of the Union Veterans requested Mr. 
H. to hold the picture up so all could look upon it — Avhich he 
did. It was quite a scene. Cheer upon cheer was given, and 
the air was filled with the waving of hats of the veterans of 
both armies. It is questionable if ever Stonewall Jackson's 
memory had a grander tribute paid.] 

" ' We do not feel that you are strangers to us or we to you. 
"We think we have met each other before — and we hope to meet 
again — but God forbid that we shall ever meet again otherwise 
than as friends — (applause) some at Harpers Ferry, some at 
Winchester, some at Kernstown, some at Fishers Hill, some 



IV£ SURRENDER. 109 

at Port Republic, twelve miles from here, and, it is sr//r/, some 
at Cedar Creek. (Cheers.) Ah! yes ; you well remember there 
is where we whipped i/oii in the morning and i/oii whipped us 
in the afternoon. (Great ap})lause from the Confederates.) 
It is the place where you lost your breakfast. But after all it 
has been said that he laughs best who laughs last. (Great ap- 
plause.) 

" ' My countrymen, " peace hath her victories no less re- 
nowned than war." The one is attended with civil commotion, 
the Hash of sabres, the rattle of musketry, the boom of can- 
non, and all the attendant scenes of strife and carnage ; the 
other bodes prosperity, good government, friendship, brotherly 
kindness and good will toward all men. 

'"Let us, as American citizens, be thankful to an overrul- 
ing Providence for the peace and prosperity we to-day enjoy. 

"'And now that you have been pleased to come among us 
as visitors we extend a cordial invitation to you, and through 
you to all men who are not bent on evil, who are not political 
pirates, who as citizens have the good of the whole country at 
heart, to come and make your homes in our midst, to help us 
build up the waste places, to help us cultivate and own the 
soil, to develop the rich mines, to utilize our varied resources 
and facilities for manufacturing purposes and enterprises, to 
enjoy with us, socially and politically, the blessings of civil 
liberty, and to aid us to perpetuate (and now mark it, Ave are 
as much in earnest about what we sai/ as we were about some 
other things we were endeavoring to (hj from 1861 to 1865) 
the government of our fathers, which, when rightly under- 
stood and honestly administered, is the best system of govern- 
ment the world ever saw.' (Great and prolonged applause.) " 

Col. Wright made the following response: — 

Mr. CJiairman : — 

It is with pleasure we accept your hearty welcome. We 
are beginning to understand and appreciate the motives and 
grand sentiments which actuated the Crusaders of old. We 
have made a pilgrimage which must have its influences upon 



110 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

the hearts of the people of two great sections of our country. 
We have come among you with peace in our hearts ; we shall 
depart with love there for a people who can meet us with the 
manliness and nobility we have everywhere witnessed. We 
are proud to be the recipients of your generous hospitalities, 
for they speak the sentiment of the future, which shall place 
this country in the front rank of nations. I wish the scenes 
of this week could be re-enacted all over our country. I 
wish the men of the great contending armies of the Civil War 
could hold re-unions everywhere, for by such experiences the 
fact of the Rebellion would fade, awa}', and the impulse of the 
whole Nation woukl be towards the Nation's success. The 
soldiers who bravely met on the field have a right to make 
such scenes as this, have a right to fraternize, have a right to 
pledge themselves to lasting peace, and to pledge their common 
valor to the defence of a common country. Who shall deny 
this right ? The veterans of the two armies make a soldiery 
of which we may well be proud ; your generous bearing in 
extending to us such hearty welcome is testimony enough to 
your sincerity, to your brotherly feeling. 

Accept, sir, for yourself and the people you represent, the 
testimony of our own sincerity, of our own brotherly feeling, 
by our hearty participation in 3'our hospitalities, for in this 
interchange of knightly courtesies there can be no guile, no 
- insincerity. The sentiments we have expressed since coming 
into this Valley are those we have expressed every Decoration 
Day since 1867, and we feel we have the right to express them 
here . 

For my comrades and for myself I thank you most cordially. 

There were many features of the Harrisonburg reception 
which were peculiarly felicitous. The decorations were pro- 
fuse and in excellent taste ; the crowds were large enough to 
attest the heartiness of the welcome ; the remnant of the old 
Tenth Virginia in line to greet us with a yell that meant, not 
bayonets but brethren, was a unique incident in the pro- 
gramme ; there was a strange pleasantness in the entire affair, 
and the beautiful town of Harrisonburg furnished the culmi- 



HO IV YANKEES CAN EAT. Ill 

nation of the contrasts of a week full of all sorts of contradic- 
tions, placing the veteran at either end of the twenty years for 
his observations. 

In order to relieve the hotel and facilitate the feeding of 
the great company — for Yankee stomachs have an amazing 
capacity on Southern soil — quite a number of the party were 
dined at private houses. The author cannot speak for other 
tables, but he can out of a full stomach testify to the'delicious- 
ness of Postmaster Sullivan's spread. And such eating, such 
fried chicken, such inimitable ham, such rare and elegant table 
condiments, including the p^ar excellence apple butter. We 
remember Harrisonburg's apple butter of war times, and that 
we traded pretty much all our coftee for this delicacy. But 
now how these veterans do eat. Here is Gen. B. and Gen. D. 
(" wich is postmaster ") and Gen. T. and several others who 
never saw stars — on their shoulders — even the cultured and 
heroic war correspondent — how they do come to close quar- 
ters with a Southern dinner and annihilate all that can be set 
before them. It is a dinner to be digested and remembered. 

It was at the Revere House that the bulk of the party dined, 
and here Southern hospitality was exemplified. After dinner the 
company broke into groups and parties and " did " the town. 
There is much to see in Harrisonburg, including the famous 
well at the edge of the Court House Square. Several pleasant 
episodes diversified the visit. The gallant and genial " Major " 
shows his appreciation of the whole affair by taking several of 
his friends into a jewelry store and presenting them with costly 
souvenirs of Harrisonburg. At five o'clock Train-Master Du- 
drow had the transportation all ready and the escort did the 
honors handsomel}^ Harrisonburg was parted from with re- 
gret and the train shot towards the North. Not a furlough, 
not a flight, nor a retreat before the masterful tactics of Stone- 
wall Jackson ; not a change of base ; not a going into winter 
quarters ; no general orders, nor even a discharge. We are 
going home in all the freedom of an untrammelled peace. Down 
the Valley ! O, the weariness, the alarms of those by-gone 
marches, with yelling hordes of the ever alert enemy at our 
very heels ! The B. & O. R. R. is a great institution, and its 



112 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

luxurious cars are not quite in keeping with shelter tents and 
pike-side bivouacs. 

If any one of the party imagined that there was anything 
conclusive in that Winchester parting, he was speedily unde- 
ceived. These Winchester people are as tenacious in their 
hospitalities as the}^ were aforetime in their hostilities. It 
was seven o'clock, it was dark, when the train halted at the 
Winchester station, homeward bound. An immense con- 
course greeted us and all the former enthusiasm was more than 
renewed. The splendid bouquet made by Mrs. McKim Dief- 
fenderfer was taken on board, so well boxed that it was pre- 
served in perfection for a fortnight. Again the marked liberal- 
ity of the Gushing Process Company was appreciated, as the 
great reservoir of hot coffee was taken on, to be drank dur- 
ing the all-night ride. The tents and camp equipage were 
shipped, and here we should not fail to recognize the generos- 
ity of Lieut. E. B. Howard, of the Fourteenth New Hampshire, 
now a merchant in New York, who furnished the tents for the 
camp at his own expense, involving an outlay of $100. The 
bustle of getting out of Winchester finally ; that evening 
spectacle at the station ; the God-speeds and regretful fare- 
wells ; the sincere fellowship so wonderfully created — it was 
in every way an incident exhilarating, delightful. A good-bye ; 
a shout ; a dancing of the lights ; Winchester was evacuated. 

Are we rushing into an ambuscade ? There are signal rock- 
ets rising from Loudon Heights ; a beacon fire flashes high 
and splendid from Bolivar and again the cannon booms in 
Harpers Ferry. Lieut. Graham is giving the excursionists a 
handsome send-off as they leave the Valley of the Shenandoah. 
It is dark and the spectacle is grand. Veteran comrades of Har- 
pers Ferry, you did the handsome thing by us. We will come 
again. Three sleeping cars had been ordered and but two were 
provided until Baltimore was reached. When it came to 
putting three car-loads of sleepy men and women into two 
cars it was ascertained that though the company was composed 
exclusively of angels there was a tinge of earth on some of the 
winfifs. It was an amusiu"' scramble wherein a trace of selfish- 
ness was visible. Capt. Hall can show the inside of an attempt 



SPEECHES ON THE '' PILGRIMr IL) 

to please evervl)o(ly at once. It was as dil'licult as it was to 
preserve aiiN- ol' those })rime hams of John 1*. S<|uire & Co., 
for the homeward bound lunch. All day Sunday was spent in 
New York, a large proportion of the party attending the i'a- 
nious churches in Mew York and Brooklyn. The night voyage 
on the masfnificent steamer " Pilgrim" was an event not soon 
to drop out of memory. A parting service was held in the 
grand saloon, at which Gen. E. H. Rhodes presided and made a 
felicitous speech, in which lie recognized the kind Providence 
which had so protected and prospered the excursion. He then 
called on the excursion manager, who said : — 

" 1 believe in sentiment as a wonderful incentive in human 
life. Sentiment is sometimes derided, but it is one of the 
practical impulses of the world. Sentiment develops the 
strongest and most beautiful qualities in a man. This excur- 
sion grew out of a sentiment. By its inspirations we have all 
been quickened. Our experiences for the past few days have 
been wonderful, but however sentimental, they are among the 
dearest and most valuable realities of our whole lives. We 
have been commemorating warlike deeds ; we have traversed 
the fields where, j^ears ago, great triumphs were won, not by 
others, but by ourselves. It is well. Often do we listen to the 
unthinking complaint that most of the annals of the world are 
filled W'ith the stories of carnage and bloodshed. The history 
of the race is a history of conflict because through the on- 
sets of great armies the world is^transformed ; the wrong goes 
down and the right comes to its supremacy. Conflict, for the 
present, is the condition of progress. It is not carnage which 
makes history what it is, on the whole, radiant and prophetic ; 
it is the story of the survival of the fittest in its noblest sense. 
I am glad we have had a share in the best sentiments and 
realizations of human warfare and it is because of our aim to 
perpetuate the happiest memories of the great struggle that I 
rejoice in this excursion. We should fortify ourselves for the 
conflicts of the coming years, but always fight for the attain- 
ment of that certain era, 

'" When the war drum throbs no longer, and tlic battle flags are furled, 
In the parliament of man, the federation of the world.'" 



114 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Gen. Rhodes then called upoii Mr. Charles Carleton Coffin, 
who made one of his stirring addresses. 

Governor Littlefield was called for and responded, speak- 
ing of the pleasure it had afforded him to have the privilege 
of joining "Sheridan's Veterg-ns " in their excursion to the 
battle-fields of the Shenandoah Valley ; the beauties of the 
delightful country' visited ; the warm receptions tendered by 
the Confederate veterans, and the generous hospitality of the 
people. 

He expressed the hope that the excursion would be the 
means of bringing about a warmer friendship between those 
who had met in deadly conflict, a score of years before, on the 
same fair fields where the song of peace had been sung and so 
many kind words spoken during the past week, and closed by 
thanking each member of the party for his courtesy, and es- 
pecially Capt. Buffum for his untiring and successful efforts 
to add to the enjoyment of each member of the party, and for 
his kindness to him personally. 

Capt. J. M. Addeman, Rhode Island's popular Secretary of 
State, was called out, and among other things said : — 

" It is remarkable that an excursion, embracing so large a 
party and involving so many details, should have been so suo- 
cessful in all respects. This success is in the highest degree 
complimentary to the skill of the committee who planned the 
outlines of the trip, and to the effective management of the 
executive ofiicer, (Comrade F. H. Buffum), whose unwearied 
zeal and untiring patience have been so conspicuous at every 
point. 

" To some of the party this has furnished their first o^^jior- 
tunity to visit this section of the South ; others have not revis- 
ited it since they saw it wasted with the ravages of war. To 
all it has been, therefore, a rare pleasure to see under so favor- 
able auspices the beautiful and historic Valley of Virginia, 
and in the prosperit}^ and happiness and good will, which were 
everywhere so evident, to find a fresh illustration, if any were 
needed, that ' peace hath her victories, no less renowned than 
war.' 

" We have journeyed to the Valley of the Shenandoah with 



THE PERMANENT ORGANIZATION. 115 

varied motives, but all as travellers, expecting only to leceive 
such courtesies as. res[)ectable and law abiding citizens are en- 
titled to. These we have indeed enjoyed, but liow much nmre I 
As we recall the generous welcomes from municipal authori- 
ties, from various organizations and communities, and the })leas- 
ant receptit)ns at h(ispital)l(! liresides, Ave iind words very in- 
adequate to do justice to the subject. But the grateful mem- 
ories of the trip will long abide with us, and till the sterner 
duties of life, to wliich we are now returning, with delightful 
fragrance." 

During the evening it was proposed to effect a permanent or- 
ganization and hold yearly re-unions at some convenient point 
in New England ; and the announcement was received with 
universal favor, that on or before the quarter-century anni- 
versar}^ of Sheridan's campaign in the Valle}^ this i)arty would 
make another excursion to the same localities. The following 
officers of the permanent organization of the Sheridan's Veteran 
Association were chosen. President, Col. C.D.Wright; Vice- 
President, Gen. E. H. Rhodes ; Secretary, Comrade G. W. 
Powers ; Treasurer, Mr. C. C. Coffin ; Chaplain, Hon. B. F. 
Whitteraore. A committee consisting of Comrade G. W. 
Powers, Mr. C. C. Coffin and Miss Anna V. Shaw, was chosen 
to draft resolutions to be presented to the excursion manager. 
One of the events of the evening was an admirable speech by 
an ex-Confederate, who roused much enthusiasm by his frater- 
nal utterances. The Paymaster, Capt. C. W. Hodgdon, closed 
the speaking by saying : — 

Mr. Chairman: — 

I think the eloquence of the Fourteenth New Hampshire 
has been sufficiently vindicated by Comrade Buffum without 
calling upon a quiet, inoffensive Paymaster to speak for it. 
This is the first time I ever knew that official to be called into 
action. Although at the front he was not the man who would 
suddenly be expected to inspire the hearts of a desponding 
soldiery, and change defeat into victory, he was one who Avas 
always Avelconied Avith open arms, and usually with — empty 



116 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

pockets. I must say 1 was proud of this excursion, at the Na- 
tional Hotel at Washington, Avhen upon paying the bills, the 
landlord informed me that it was the most orderly party that 
ever stopped at his house. 

Allow me in closing to say if any one has any bills approved 
by Comrade Buffum, the projector of this excursion, please 
present them for settlement. 

Without a mishap, without an unpleasantness, the party 
reached home on Monday the 24th. Most of the Vermont 
members separated from the main company at New York, 
while a dozen or more tarried for a longer view of Washington 
scenes. Ever since the return of the excursion its members 
have felicitated themselves upon their rare good fortune, while 
the fifty or one hundred faint-hearts who didn't go have been 
straining their inventive powers in devising excuses. From a 
large proportion of the company come enthusiastic expressions 
of approbation. From Western Massachusetts comes this testi- 
mony : " It was the pleasantest trip of all my life, and I never 
expect to enjoy anything else like it." And this from Hins- 
dale, N, H., a town which did better than any other place in 
its quota for the excursion : " So far as I am able to learn, 
every one here counts the trip as tlie event of his life." Capt. 
J. W. Sturtevant, of the Fourteenth New Hampshire, secured 
slips from the willow standing near the State monument at 
Winchester, and accompanied by a handsomely printed note 
he has sent a slip to each bereaved friend of those deceased 
veterans sleeping in that cemetery. 

The following is self explanatory : — 

Boston, September 30, 18S3. 

To Sergeant Francis H. Buffum : — 

Dear Sir, — At a meeting of the Sheridan's Veterans Excur- 
sion Party, held on board steamer " Pilgrim," September 23, 
1883, the undersigned, representing respectively the veterans, 
the citizens, and the ladies, were appointed a committee to 
express to you the sentiments entertained by the entire party 
for your efficient management of the excursion. In accordance 



SHOTS FROM THE REAR GUARD. 117 

witli our instructions, we sincerely tender you tiie following 
resolutions : — 

licxohu'(^. That the \'eteraiis. Citizens, and Toadies C()m[)osing 
the party visiting the battle-lields of the Shenandoah Valley in 
September, 1888, desire to put on record their appreciation of 
the valuable services of Sergeant Francis H. Buftiun, of the 
Fourteenth New Hampshire Infantry, in carrying out the pur- 
poses of the trip. 

Hesolved, That to the untiring energy, unfailing patience, 
and inexhaustible fjood nature of Sergeant Buffum were 
largely due the harmony and general good feeling which pre- 
vailed during the entire journe}'. 

He-solved, That the ladies and gentlemen of the party will 
ever associate the name of Sergeant Buffura with one of the 
most pleasing experiences of their lives ; and they trust that 
the exercise of those manly qualities which made the excur- 
sion to the Shenandoah so succe;ssful will mark his future path 
with prosperity and happiness. 

In behalf of the Sheridan's Veterans Excursion Party, 

George W. Powers, 
Charles C. Coffin, 
Anna V. Shaw. 



SHOTS FROM THE REAR GUARD. 

The amenities of the excursion did not cease with the ter- 
mination of the trip. A handsome gold badge has been sent 
by the veterans to Comrade C. E. Dudrow, the eflicient Train- 
Master of the B. & O. R. R. The Executive Committee has 
taken steps toward procuring a handsomely engrossed and 
framed copy of the resolutions adopted at AVinchester, for the 
purpose of presenting the same to the city of Winchester. 

General Stephen Thomas's old regiment, the Eighth Ver- 
mont, will be the first to erect memorial shafts on the battle- 
fields of Winchester and Cedar Creek, to mark spots where the 
sons of Vermont were cut down, as before the mower's scythe. 
The monuments will be of handsome granite or marble, tlie gift 
of Col. Herbert E. Hill, who heard the lirst and the last gun 
fired in these important battles. Gen. Thomas will personally 
superintend the placing of the monunients. 'J"he shaft on the 



118 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

battle-field of Winchester will stand on the spot where tlie 
regiment held the enemy in check for nearly an hour, losing 
heavily in killed and wounded, after which it fixed bayonets, 
and under the lead of Gen. Thomas, made a desperate bayonet 
charge, driving the enemy and holding every inch of ground 
gained. Greeley, in his history of tlie war, considered this 
bayonet charge of sufticient importance to give it an extended 
notice. At Cedar Creek, with Sheridan twenty miles away, 
the regiment again distinguished itself. A number of the 
regiment on picket captured the first rebel skirmisher as the 
enemy charged on to our lines. Tlie regiment was nearly 
surrounded by a rebel division, the colors shot down, and only 
when complete annihilation stared it in the face did it fall 
back. On this spot will stand the Cedar Creek shaft. 

It was upon the suggestion of Capt. W. H. Whitney that 
the series of nine views of the Opequan battle-field were taken 
by photographer J. B. Wortham, of Winchester, immediately 
after the veterans broke camp. The views are valuable to all 
who desire to preserve the associations of the sanguinary 
field. 

Eighteen years after the war closes the Chaplain plucks up 
courage to face the Winchester Cannon, and he coaxes from 
it, not a shell, but a shepherd dog. A fine fellow. His name 
is "Veteran." The Chaplain wants him entered upon the 
roster. We are a little afraid that some of his ancestors barked 
at the " Yanks " during the " late unpleasantness." That 
dog himself may not be thoroughly reconstructed. No, Chap- 
lain, it will not do. 

This and some other prime captures suggest that the Chap- 
lain was the prize forager of the excursion. 

One of the ladies whose other half didn't go has so occupied 
the breakfast hour with ceaseless praises of the trip that he 
sighs for some insurrection, revolution or foreign war, so that 
he may enlist and enjoy the privilege of his hard tack and 
salt pork in peace. He sees no other way to survive the next 
excursion but to go himself, so that his wife won't be able to 
give him so much information. 

It is a nice thing, this exchange of portraits, but what a 



TELLING TILE STORY. 110 

blunder for one of the old maids to send out a picture of her- 
self at " sweet sixteen," revealing a costume wliich has n't 
been worn since the Seminole war. It is the very worst " give 
away " of the whole trip. 

Among those who touched a tender spot in the great excur- 
sion stomach by the excellence of their supplies were John P. 
Squire & Co. and Hon. Chas. E. Raymond of Thomas Dana 
& Co. 

The leading question is '•'' Can the ladies wait until 1889 ? " 
Some of them have declared in favor of an excursion every fall 
during life. 

"Little Phil"" wasn't with us, but every one of his veterans 
rejoices in the cause of his absence. He was getting ready to 
take cojumand of the army of the country he so conspicu- 
ousl}^ helped to make worth an army. He will be with us next 
time. 

The "Major" is convinced that he has become a brevet-hero, 
and has secured his rank in the Thirty-Eighth in a perfectl}^ 
legitimate manner. He says he has been over as many battle- 
fields in the Valley as the rest of the veterans, and has fully 
done his part in subjugating the best part of the population. 

One of the pleasant post prandial exercises has been the 
story of the trip told in many a post of the G. A. R., as well 
as in public addresses. Chaplain Whittemore so roused the en- 
thusiasm of several posts in Woburn that a series of resolu- 
tions were adopted and sent to the city of Winchester, Ya., 
expressive of the pleasure of Northern veterans in the reception 
which their comrades enjoyed among former foes. The mem- 
bers of Post 5 got Avord from " Camp Lynn," and Comrade 
Flynn made things lively until he was satisfied that " the boys " 
who stayed at home fully appreciated the excursion. Com- 
rade Powers delighted Post 15 with his admirable account of 
the "glorious affaii-," and from the pines of Aroostook, 
around through the Hocks of the Winooski, the spindles of the 
Blackstone, to the broom corn of the Mohawk — all who went 
have sounded the praises of "the best trip I ever took in my 
life." 

It has but just leaked out — the inuninent danger nf Camp 



120 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Emor}', and how the whole excursion was saved from the horrors 
of an indescribable night attack from the Johnnies. It was a 
carefully planned surprise. Early's Massanutten trick was a 
bagatelle in comparison. In the small hours of morning when 
the unsuspecting Yankee was serenely snoring, then the camp 
was to be surrounded and with a terrific rebel yell the on- 
slauo^ht was to be made. But didn't the gallant Officer of the 
Da}' — Colonel, M. V. M. — sit up all night in ineffable trepida- 
tion, getting a hint of the ex|)ected attack, and is n't it rumored 
that in order to save himself from an inglorious denoiiment, he 
bought the Johnnies off. Either the Colonel's vigilance or 
persuasiveness averted the calamity. 

No better evidence of the general satisfaction which prevails 
among the members of the excursion need to be sought for, 
than is found in the widespread and earnest desire for another 
encampment in the Valley ; a desire Avhich is being expressed 
to the writer nearly every day, and none are more enthusiastic 
in this direction than the patriotic and noble spirited women 
who so largel}^ contributed to the success already achieved. 

And now a closing word concerning this little souvenir of 
our most happ}' tour. Its only aim is to express and perpetuate 
the life and spirit, the fellowship, the pleasures of this excur- 
sion. This unpretentious volume is no anti-climax in one re- 
spect, certainly. It is with pleasure that the author announces 
the sale of every cojDy of the edition in advance of publica- 
tion. He is sincerely grateful to the members of the excursion 
who have made of this culminating venture of our enterprise 
so complete a success. The liberality of many individuals de- 
serves special recognition. Mr. Caleb H. Packard sends a copy 
to each member of the Union Cornet Band of Winchester, Va. 
The town of Claremont, N. H., is the banner town in subscrib- 
ing for this souvenir. Comrades H. C. Mace and H. P. Hun- 
ter having sold fifty copies. Mau}^ of the G. A. R. posts 
and most of the libraries about Boston have secured copies. 
Whatever its demerits it occupies a new field, and preserves, 
so far as words may, the memory of an experience which was 
delightful beyond the power of language to picture. 








Capt. Allen Baker, Jr 
First R. I. ("avalry 





Gen. Stephen Thomas, 
Eurhth Vt. 



Capt. H. T. Hall, 
Thirty Fourth Mass. 




Capt. \V. H. Cunningham, 
Third Mass. Cavalry. 



Lieut. Geo. A. Reed, 
Twenty Sixth Mass. 



Members of the Executive Committe. 



• •tlOTYHt PHINTIN'> 00.. BOSTON 



EXCURSION ROSTER. 121 



EXCURSION ROSTER. 



COMMANDER. 

Col. CARROLL U. WRIGHT. 

EXCURSION MANAGER. 

Serg't FRANCIS H. BUFFUM. 

CHIEF OF STAFF. 

Maj. IRA BERRY, Jr. 

AIDS. 

Col. A. C. Wellington, T. C. Bond. 

EXCURSION COMMITTEE. 

Col. C. D. Wright, Maj. F. L. Tolman, Capt. C. W. Hodgdon, 
Capt. J. W. Sturtevant. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 

Col. C. D. Wright, Gen. Stephen Thomas, Capt. Allen Baker, Capt. W. 

H. Cunningham, Serg't F. H. Buffum, Lieut. G. A. Reed, Chaplain 

B. F. Whittemore, Capt. H. T. Hall, Serg't J. W. Chapman. 

EXCURSION STAFF. 

Adjutant, Capt. G. N. Carpenter. 

Chaplain Rev. B. F. Whittemore. 

Paymaster, Capt. C. W. Hodgdon. 

Surgeon, Marshall Perkins. 

Assistant-Surgeon, . . . E. A. Chase. 

Provost-Marshal, . . . Capt. W. H.Cunningham. 

Quartermaster, .... Lieut. C. G. Howard. 

Quartermaster Sergeant, . Serg't R. Huntoon. 

Commissary J. E. Ashley. 

Train-Master, . . . C. E. Dudrow. 

OFFICERS OF THE DAY. 

Major Ira Berry, Jr., Capt. H. T. Hall, Capt. C. P. Hall, Col. A. C. 
Wellington, Capt. W. H. Cunningham. 

MUSICIANS. 

Buglers: C. H. Giffin, E. J. Hadley; Drummer, Albert Cooper. 



122 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

EXCURSION QUARTETTE. 

Miss Anna V. Shaw, Mrs. M. S. Bullock, Lieut. C. F. Shaw, 
Drum Maj. R. S. Ripley. 

GUESTS Of THE VETER.4.NS. 

William H. Emory, MajorGeneral U. S. Army, Commander of the 19th 

Army Corps, Washington, D. C. 

Henry W. Birge, Brigadier-General, Commander of the ist Brigade, 2d 

Division, 19th Corps, Boonton, N. J. 

LADIES. 

Mrs. Thomas C. Bond, .... Boston, Mass. 
Miss Annie E. L. Borden, . . New Bedford, Mass. 

Mrs. M. S. Bullock, .... New Bedford, Mass. 

Mrs. Edwin Burnham Boston, Mass. 

Miss L. A. Calef, Washington, Vt. 

Mrs. S. R. Coffin, Boston, Mass. 

Mrs. W. Irving Ellis, .... Melrose, Mass. 

Mrs. E. p. George West Fairlee, Vt. 

Miss H. E. Gillette, .... Cleveland, Ohio. 

Mrs. W. B. Gove, Washington, D. C. 

Mrs. M. E. Hadley, Luverne, Minn. 

Mrs. A. G. Hull, Taintor, Iowa. 

Mrs. N. R. Lewis, Fall River, Mass. 

Mrs. A. G. Newcomb, .... Washington, Vt. 

Mrs. C. J. NiLES, Thetford, Vt. 

Mrs. E. L. NoYES ■ . . Boston, Mass. 

Mrs. Oliver B. Quimby, .... Brockton, Mass. 

Miss Anna V. Shaw New Bedford, Mass. 

Mrs. Lizzie S. Stowell, .... Claremont. N. H. 
Mrs. Joseph Willis, Canton, Mass. 

FOURTEENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

Staff : Marshall Perkins, Ass't Surgeon, physician, Marlow, N. H. 

Company A. 

GooDNOW, Edwin J., private, machinist, . . Westmoreland, N. H. 

Hall, Charles P., captain, teacher Hinsdale, N. H. 

Knowlton, Asa, private, farmer, Dublin, N. H. 

Latham, A. Henry, corporal, mechanic, . . • . Hinsdale, N. H. 

Mason, David, private, farmer, Dublin, N. H. 

Wardwell, George O., corporal, house-joiner, . . Keene, N. H. 

Company B. 

Gilbert, Chas. H., musician, dentist, .... Andover, Mass. 
Gowen, Charles R., private, hotel-keeper, . . . Springfield, Mass. 
Jennison, Charles H., sergeant, merchant, . . . Chicago, 111. 

Turner, Jonathan, corporal, furniture manufacturer, . Ayer, Mass. 



EXCURSION ROSTER. 



123 



Company D. 

Gove, Aldert, private, farmer, 

Hadley, Elbridge D., lieutenant, lawyer, 

HoDGDON, C. W., captain, dentist, . 



. Seabrook, N. H. 

. Luverne, Minn. 

169 Court St., Boston, Mass. 



Company I. 

Comings, Charles B., sergeant, furniture, . . . Lebanon, N. H. 

Hunter, Harlan P., private, mechanic, . . . Claremont, N. H. 

HuNTOON, Ransom, sergeant, cloth-folder, . . . Newport, N. H. 

Mace, Henry C, private, teamster, .... Claremont, N. H. 
Santry, John, private, saloonkeeper, ..... Lynn, Mass. 

Stowell, George H., Jr., sergeant, manufacturer, . Claremont, N. H. 

Company C. 

Berry, Ira, Jr., brevet-major, merchant, .... Portland, Me. 
Coombs, Carroll L., private, mechanic, . . West Dummerston, Vt. 
Wright, Carroll D., colonel, chief of Massachusetts bureau of 

statistics, Boston, Mass. 

Company F. 

Baldwin, Henry E., corporal, sawyer, . . . Winchester, N. H. 
Bolton, James H., private, farmer, .... Ashuelot, N. H. 

BuFFUM, Francis H., color-sergeant, journalist. Herald Office, Boston, Mass. 
Day, George A., band leader, carpenter, . . . Hinsdale, N. H. 
Farr, Chauncey S., private, machinist, . . . Hinsdale, N. H. 

Howard, Charles G., lieutenant, gardener, . . . Springfield, Mass. 
Thompson, Daniel H., corporal, farmer, . . . Winchester, N. H. 

Company G. 

Cooper, Albert, musician, expressman Boston, Mass. 

Hatch, Herbert C, private, farmer, . . . Bellows Falls, Vt. 

Howard, Edward B., lieutenant, pork packer, . . . New York. 
Learned, Marion D., corporal, fruit grower, . . So. Vineland, N. J. 
Mower, N. W., musician, railroad agent, . . East Jaffrey, N. H. 
Pierce, Albert S., corporal, locomotive machinist, . Fitchburg, Mass. 
Poole, Joel H., private, summer hotel, .... Jaffrey, N. H. 
Russell, James W., lieutenant, merchant, .... Keene, N. H. 
Sturtevant, John W., captain, books and stationery, . Keene, N. H. 

ToLMAN, Flavel L., major, furniture manufacturer, . Leominster, Mass. 
Turner, Henry A., sergeant, livery keeper, . . . Gardner, Mass. 



THIRTY-FOURTH MASSACHUSETTS. 

Company A. 

Walker, Robert W., lieutenant, shirt cutter, . . Boston, Mass. 

Company B. 

Needham, James A., corporal, overseer, .... Clinton, Mass. 

Company X>. 

Walker, Melville E., captain, manufacturer, . . Providence, R. L 



124 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

Company £. 

Bemis, Henry, corporal, boot cutter, Spencer, Mass. 

GiFFiN, Charles H., musician, mail carrier, . . Brookfiekl, Mass. 

Hall, Henry T., captain, treas. manf'g co., 179 Devonshire St., Boston, Mass. 

Company F. 

Lombard, Joseph H., private, foreman boot factory, N. Brookfield, Mass. 

Company H. 

Cheney, William H. H., musician, farmer, . . Southbridge, Mass. 
CoNGDON, George, sergeant, overseer, . . . Fall River, Mass. 
Corey, George W., corporal, ass't postmaster, . Southbridge, Mass. 
Houghton, Harlan P., lieutenant, carpenter, . . Providence, R. I. 
Morse, Andrew H., private, farmer, .... Southbridge, Mass. 

Company I. 

Bliss, George, private, provision dealer, . . . West Warren, Mass. 

Carey, Ephraim C, private, farmer, Warren, Mass. 

Gilbert, Lucien W., private, machinist, . . Warren, Mass. 

Wilson, Austin F., private, conductor O. C. R. R., . . Boston, Mass. 



THIRTY-KIGHTH 3IASHACHU8ETTS. 

Company A. 

Tarbell, William A., lieutenant, salesman, 110 North St., Boston, Mass. 

Company B. 

Chapman, James W., ist sergeant, commissioner of deeds, Boston, Mass. 

Company 1). 

Byrnes, Arthur S., ist sergeant, Plymouth, Mass. 

Howland, Charles C, captain, grocer, .... Boston, Mass. 

Company K. 

Flynn, Frank M , private, dyer, Lynn, Mass. 

Company F. 

LUNT, Alphonso M., sergeant, railway postal clerk, E. Cambridge, Mass. 
Powers, George W., corporal, proof-reader, . , . Boston, Mass. 
Wellington, Austin C, acting adjutant, now colonel ist reg't 

M. V. M., coal dealer, Boston, Ma^s. 

Company G. 

Whitney, William H., captain, civil engineer and surveyor, Boston, Mass. 

Company H. 

Rodman, Thomas R., captain, accountant, . . New Bedford, Mass. 
Shaw, Charles F., lieutenant, wholesale grocer, New Bedford, Mass. 

Company I. 

DeLacy, John P., private, soldier's messenger corps, . Boston, Mass. 



EXCURSION ROSTER. 125 

THIKD MASSACHUSETTS CAVALKV. 

Armstrong, George, corporal, cabinet maker, . . . Everett, Mass. 
Cunningham, Wm. H., lieutenant, eng. fire dept , City Hall, Boston, Mass. 
Emery, Charles T., sergeant, clerk, .... Boston, Mass. 
Harris, Milan H., sergeant, watchman, . . . Leominster, Mass. 
Hervey, James W., captain, banker, . . . New Bedford, Mass. 
Lewis, Samuel W., lieutenant, newsdealer, . . . Danvers, Mass. 
NoYES, Edw. L., captain, provision dealer, 3 Wellington st., Boston, Mass. 
Pope, Henry D., lieutenant ; also ass't inspector gen., 3d brig. 

2d div. 19th corps, paper dealer, 91 Federal St., . Boston, Mass. 

Thomas, J. Cushing, corporal, carriage builder, . . Boston, Mass. 

TWENTY-SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS. 

Berry, Frank S., private, clerk, Lowell, Mass. 

Bowman, Alonzo, private, chief of police, . . Brookline, Mass. 

Brady, James, Jr., captain, collector of customs, . Fall River, Mass. 

Hall, Delette H., com. sergt., woodenware manf'r, West Acton, Mass. 

Hosley, L., private, bookbinder, Fitchburg, Mass. 

Reed, George A., lieutenant, railroad conductor, . Saxonville, Mass. 
Stevens, Frank H., sergeant, farmer, . . . West Acton, Mass. 

Wheeler, Stephen W., corporal, farmer, . . New Ipswich, N. H. 

EI.EVENTH VEKMONT. 

Burnham, Edwin, corporal, clerk B. & A. R. R., . Boston, Mass. 
Campbell, E. R., private, also ist artillery, clerk, . . Brandon, Vt. 
Carpenter, G. N., capt. ; also, capt. C.S. U.S. Vols., insurance, Boston, Mass. 
Gibson, W. H., private, also ist artillery, shoemaker, Cambridge, N. Y. 
Hathorn, R. E., private, also ist artillery, harness dealer, Ludlow, Vt. 
Lamson, Lucien A., musician, druggist, . . . Hinsdale, N. H. 
Patch, Albert, lieutenant, clerk, . 160 Cambridge st., Boston, Mass. 

EIGHTH VEKMONT. 

Gillett, H. H., surgeon, physician and farmer, . . Post Mills, Vt. 

GiLMORE, W. H., quartermaster serg't, farmer, . . . Fairlee, Vt. 

Thomas, Stephen, colonel, farmer, Montpelier, Vt. 

Welch, James, lieutenant, farmer, .... Randolph, Vt. 

FIRST RHODE ISLAND CAVALRY. 

Baker, Allen, Jr., captain, escort head-quarters cavalry corps, 

merchant, Providence, R. I. 

Gardner, William, sergeant, police, .... Providence, R- L 
Manchester, Thomas W., captain, jeweler, . . Providence, R. L 

THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS. 

Childs, John F., private, shoemaker, Natick, Mass. 

Fiske, David F., corporal, clerk, Natick, Mass. 

Twichell, Joseph H., private, government clerk, . Washington, D. C. 



126 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

MAINE. 

Danforth, Isaac H., ist battery, granite worker, . Brunswick, Me. 
QuiMBY, Oliver B., private, ist battery, shoe manf'r, . Brockton, Mass. 
Johnson, S. L., sergeant, 5th infantry, clerk, . . Chelsea, Mass. 

Thompson, Edward W., lieut., 12th inf'y, solicitor of patents, Lowell, Mass. 
Porter, Thomas W., colonel, 14th infantry, attorney-atlaw, 

33 School St., Boston, Mass. 
Alexander, James E., 15th infantry, provision dealer, . Brunswick, Me. 
Chase, E. A., private, 29th infantry, physician, . . Brockton, Mass. 

Goodwin, Sewall D., seaman, U. S. Monitor Nakant, tinsmith. Wells, Me. 

NKW HAMPSHIRE. 

Fish, William W., private, nth infantry, clerk. West Somerville, Mass. 
Hadley, Edgar J., bugler, ist cavalry, machinist, . . Athol, Mass. 
Taft, Albert H., corporal, 9th infantry, physician, Winchester, N. H. 
Ui'HAM, Lorenzo M., private, 9th infantry, wool sorter, Hinsdale, N. H. 

VERMONT. 

BlXBY, HiRAM P., private, 2d infantry, farmer, . . . Ludlow, Vt. 
Bond, Thomas C, private, loth infantry, cutter, . . Boston, Mass. 
Fuller, Austin W., lieutenant, loth inf'y, furniture dealer, St. Albans, Vt. 

MASSACHUSETTS. 

Alvord, Henry E., captain, 2d cavalry, prov. marshal, cavalry 

reserve brig. ; farmer and teacher, . . . Mountainville, N. Y. 

Richmond, Lucius, captain, 4th cavalry, paints and oils, Brockton, Mass. 

Griffin, Wm. C, serg't, i6th infantry, leather cutter, N. Brookfield, Mass. 

Winward, Walter, private, i6th infantry, clerk, . Somerville, Mass. 

Ripley, Royal S., drum major, 30th infantry, North Chelmsford, Mass. 

Whittemore, Benj. F., chaplain, 30th infantry, ex-congressman, 

publisher, ...... 32 Hawley St., Boston, Mas«. 

Abbott, William H., sergeant, 37th infantry, hotel keeper, Neponset, Mass. 

Ely, William A., private, 37th infantry, express agent, Johnstown, N. Y. 

Reed, Nathan, sergeant, 39th infantry, shoemaker, . Natick, Mass. 

Ashley, John E., private, 45th infantry, salesman, . Somerville, Mass. 

Morse, E. T., private, 45th infantn,', ag't Adams' exp. co., Southbridge, Mass. 

Currier, Samuel, sergeant, 59th infantry, leather sorter, Natick, Mass. 

RHODE ISLAND. 

Rhodes, Elisha H., colonel, 2d infantry, U. S. collector internal 

revenue, commander of the Rhode Island militia, . Providence, R. I. 

Addeman, Joshua M., captam 14th heavy artillery. Secretary of 

State, Providence, R. I. 

Worthington, Charles D., sergeant, battery B., engineer, Spencer, Mass. 



EXCURSION ROSTER. 127 

CONNECTICUT. 

Briggs, Charles H., captain, ist cavalry, clerk, Harpers Ferry, West Va. 
Willis, J. D., sergeant, ist cavalry, express, . . Willimantic, Conn. 
O'Brien, Lawrence, captain, 9th infantry, builder, New Haven, Conn. 

Dickinson, Leonard A., captain, 12th infantry, ass't adjt. gen'l, 2d 

brig., 1st div., 19th corps, postmaster, . . . Hartford, Conn. 
Smith, James E., adj't and capt., 12th infantry, book-keeper, Hartford, Conn. 

NEW TORK. 

Martens, W. G., private, ii6th infantry, jeweler, . . Rochester, N. Y. 
Otis, Chas. G., colonel, 21st cavalry, 2d division cavalry corps, 

elevator manf'r, 92 Liberty St., New York. 

Yost, Charles H., sergeant, 140th infantry, auctioneer, Rochester, N. Y. 
Graham, George W., lieutenant, 144th infantry, lawyer, 

Harpers Ferry, West Va. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

DuDROW, Charles E., chief saddler, 14th cavalry, travelling passenger 

agent B. & O. R. R., Harpers Ferry, West Va. 

MARYLAND. 

Reynolds, George H., private, ist infantry, calker. Harpers Ferry, W. Va. 

OHIO. 

Abbott, William H., corporal, 29th infantry, soap manf'r, Holyoke, Mass. 

WEST VIRGINIA. 

Bristor, J. H., major, 12th infantry, real e tate, Martinsburg, West Va. 

Hull, Albert G., sergeant, 12th infantry, farmer, . . Taintor, Iowa. 

REGULAR ARMY. 

Upright, L. F., bugler, battery L., ist artillery, butcher. 

Harpers Ferry, West Va. 

SONS OF VETERANS. 

HuNTOON, Charles, .... Newport, N. H. 

King, George B., Boston, Mass. 

Latham, Ernie, Hinsdale, N. H. 

Pope, Harry H., Boston, Mass. 



128 SHERIDAN'S VETERANS. 

CIVILIANS. 

Amidon, W. O., Hinsdale, N. H. 

Briggs, W. S., . . . • . . . Keene, N. H. 

Bromwich, C. M., So. Boston, Mass. 

Cahill, M. S., Boston, Mass. 

Calef, Ira C, Washington, Vt. 

Coffin, Charles Carleton, . . . Boston, Mass. 
Clark, Fred. O., . . . . .' So. Boston, Mass. 

Clough, William R Marlow, N. H. 

CowLES, H., M. D., Saxonville, Mass. 

Currier, Frank S., Natick, Mass. 

Farnsworth, C. N., . . . N. Leominster, Mass. 

Fish, Albert F., . . . . . Cambridge, Mass. 

Fletcher, D. W., Hinsdale, N. H. 

Fretts, C. a., Leominster, Mass. 

Gee, Elbridge B., Marlow, N. H. 

George, E. P., West Fairlee, Vt. 

Gove, W. B., Washington, D. C. 

Hall, Geo. A., Roxbury, N. H. 

Holt, CD., W. Gardner, Mass. 

Leach, Martin S., Hinsdale, N. H. 

Leonard, Fred S Hinsdale, N. H. 

Lewis, N. R., Fall River, Mass. 

Littlefield, Hon. A. H., .... Pawtucket, R. I. 

Magoon, a., ...... Uanvers, Mass. 

Nichols, J. Carlton, ... So. Boston, Mass. 

Packard, Caleb H., . . . . Brockton, Mass. 

Phelps, W. E., N. Leominster, Mass. 

Piper, Cyrus, Keene, N. H. 

Raynor, Thomas, So. Boston, Mass. 

Richards, Artemus So. Boston, Mass. 

Riley, C. C, Washington, D. C. 

Skinner, A. B Keene, N. H. 

Stearns, F. C, Saxonville, Mass. 

Stickney, Edwin D., Boston, Mass. 

Stone, E. C, Lynn, Mass. 

Stowell, J. a., Leominster, Mass. 

Tufts, Washington Brookfield, Mass. 

Turner, J. Ashley, .... Willimantic, Mass. 

Walker, A. V., . . . . N. Leominster, Mass. 

Worden, N.\than M., .... Hinsdale, N. H. 

OFFICERS OF THE SHERIDAN'S VETERAN ASSOCIATION. 

President Col. Carroll D. Wright. 

Vice-President, . . . Gen. Elisha H. Rhodes. 

Secretary, George W. Powers. 

Treasurer, .... Charles Carleton Coffin. 

Chaplain, Rev. B. F. Whittemore. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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013 701 271 6 



